By: Daniel Yao Akpabli | ignewss — Bunkpurugu, North East Region
The North East Regional Police Command has arrested four people and intercepted 118 bags of cocoa beans weighing 11,800 kilogrammes allegedly being transported towards neighbouring Togo.
The consignment was intercepted at Bunkpurugu on Sunday, August 9, 2026, following intelligence received by the police about a Hyundai Rhino truck suspected to be transporting cocoa towards the Bunkpurugu-Togo border.
The suspects have been identified as Dickson Asante, 35, the driver of the truck; Gideon Tab, 19, the mate; Mohammed Mumin, 22; and Ernestina Akugre, 23, who reportedly claimed ownership of the consignment.
According to the police, the truck, with registration number AS-3272-25, was loaded with plantain and cocoa and was travelling towards the Togo border under suspicious circumstances.
Acting on the information, a patrol team intercepted the vehicle at the Bunkpurugu Police Snap Check Point and arrested the four occupants.
A subsequent search was conducted at the Customs Office by a joint security team comprising personnel from the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Defence Intelligence, GRA Customs Division and National Security.
The search revealed that the plantain was allegedly being used as a cover to conceal the cocoa beans.
Police said the 118 bags of cocoa, weighing a total of 11.8 tonnes, were retrieved from the vehicle and secured as exhibits to support the ongoing investigation.
The four suspects are currently in police custody assisting with investigations and are expected to be put before court to face the appropriate charges.
The North East Regional Police Command said the operation forms part of ongoing efforts by the security agencies to prevent the illegal movement of cocoa and other commodities across Ghana’s borders.
Meanwhile, authorities have reiterated their commitment to working with relevant state institutions to protect Ghana’s cocoa industry and prevent unlawful cross-border activities.
SOURCE: www.ignewss.com