A Nigerien trader, Amadu Mamudu, was sentenced to a fine of 2,500 cedis by a Jasikan Magistrate Court for smuggling prohibited cigarettes from Kpalime in Togo into Ghana.
Mamudu pleaded guilty to the charge, paid the fine and would have served five years in jail in default.
The court presided over by Mr Christian Hevi-Affuflu ordered the consignment of cigarettes to be publicly destroyed.
He warned smugglers, be they Ghanaians or foreigners, that the law against smuggling would be rigidly applied without fear or favour.
Prosecuting, Inspector Mr Albert Kwabla said CEPS officials on duty on the main Abotoase/Kwamekrom road found 150 packets of
Fine-light cigarettes on a bus.
Mr Kwabla said Mamudu, who claimed ownership of the cigarettes, said they were being taken to Cote d'Ivoire but some were to be sold in Ghana to generate enough funds to facilitate easy passage to that country.
The cigarettes were destroyed at the precincts of the court under the supervision of Environmental Health officers and court officials.