BY ISSAH OLEGOR
The fight against the illegal movement of the cocoa across the country’s borders has taken another turn after the North East Regional Police Command intercepted 118 bags of cocoa allegedly being transported towards neighbouring Togo and arrested four suspects in connection with the consignment.
The seizure, which occurred at Bunkpurugu on Sunday, August 9, 2026, involved approximately 11,800 kilogrammes of cocoa beans that police say were destined for Togo through the Bunkpurugu-Togo border.
The operation followed intelligence received by the police concerning the suspected movement of a large quantity of cocoa towards the border.
Acting on the information, a police patrol team stationed at the Bunkpurugu Police Snap Check Point intercepted a Hyundai Rhino truck with registration number AS-3272-25, which was reportedly transporting plantain and cocoa.
Four people travelling in the vehicle were arrested during the operation.
They have been identified by the police as Dickson Asante, 35, the driver; Gideon Tab, 19, the mate; Mohammed Mumin, 22; and Ernestina Akugre, 23, who allegedly claimed ownership of the consignment.
What initially appeared to be an ordinary agricultural consignment reportedly turned out to be a much larger operation when security personnel conducted a detailed search of the truck.
According to the police, the plantain was allegedly being used as a decoy to conceal the cocoa beans and make the consignment appear to be an ordinary agricultural load.
A subsequent search conducted at the Customs Office by a joint security team uncovered the concealed cocoa.
The operation involved personnel from the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Defence Intelligence, GRA Customs Division and National Security.
The discovery of the 118 bags has raised fresh concerns about attempts to move Ghanaian cocoa through unofficial or unauthorised channels into neighbouring countries.
Following the interception, all four occupants of the truck were taken into custody.
The police say they remain in custody and are assisting investigators as authorities work to establish the circumstances surrounding the consignment, its intended destination and the identities of any other persons who may have been involved.
The police have indicated that the suspects will be put before court to face the full rigours of the law as investigations continue.
