In a daring operation, Ghana Cocobod and the local police in the Eastern region have successfully intercepted a shipment of cocoa beans concealed within oil drums. The perpetrators cunningly disguised the cocoa as palm oil from a region renowned for its palm oil production, aiming to deceive security authorities. However, their scheme was thwarted when the truck, bearing the registration number ER 856-14, was seized near Asuokaw, a community close to Asamankese. Although some suspects managed to evade capture, David Nartey, the purported owner of the vehicle, was apprehended and is currently in custody, aiding ongoing investigations.
During the operation, it was discovered that one of the drums contained a staggering 144kg of cocoa beans, equivalent to two bags and 16kg. The seized contraband has been transported to the Cocobod headquarters in Accra for further processing. Charles Amenyaglo, the Director of Special Services at Cocobod, expressed deep concern over the rising trend of illicit cocoa smuggling in the Eastern region and its neighboring countries, including Togo and Cote D’Ivoire, driven by significant price differences. This incident marks the eighth recorded case of cocoa smuggling in the region, following recent arrests in Tepa, Elubo, Afloa, and Ho.
In the face of this growing issue, Mr. Amenyaglo called upon the people of Ghana to rally behind Cocobod’s efforts to combat cocoa smuggling. He urged citizens to support the cause by providing vital information to the police, enabling them to clamp down on the perpetrators. The fight against cocoa smuggling demands a collective response, and with increased vigilance and collaboration, the nation can safeguard its valuable cocoa industry from these illicit operations.
