Takoradi — The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) in collaboration with the Navy and Marine Police have started all night security patrols at the Takoradi Anchorage and the western coastline to halt illegal fuel bunkering in the area.

Deputy Director and Manager in charge of the GMA in the Western Region, Captain William Eson Thompson who told the Ghanaian Times in an interview said GMA personnel were working together with four armed officers, who sail to the Takoradi Anchorage on two vessels, the 'Paa Grant' and 'Private Odartey' to stop the practice.

In addition to patrols, he told the Ghanaian Times that GMA officers together with the Marine Police had visited fishing communities to advise fishermen to desist from fishing too close to vessels at the anchorage "as they could be treated as having the intention to board the vessel."

He said through such collaboration, the Western Naval Command and marine police had arrested 23 persons suspected to be engaged in illegal bunkering.

The suspects are currently in the custody of the Ghana marine police while the wooden boat 'dendey' has been anchored at the Western Naval Command.