A police inspector and four other individuals have been apprehended by the Akosombo Divisional Police Command for their involvement in an attempted smuggling operation, aiming to transport 231 bags of dried cocoa beans to Togo.
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The suspects, including inspector Adam Mahama, were arrested by a team of military personnel stationed around the bridge on the Akuse Dam. Mahama was acting as an escort to a truck carrying the contraband.
The four other suspects, De-Graft Otto Mote, Soga Godwin, Baba Issah (the driver), and his mate Joseph Aha, are currently undergoing investigation and are slated for court proceedings.
Military personnel intercepted two vehicles around 9 pm on Wednesday, May 15: a Benz Ateco Truck carrying the 231 bags of cocoa beans concealed under animal feed, and a Mazda Pickup acting as an escort.
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The cocoa beans were loaded from Asuboi, near Suhum, and were en route to Togo via Asutsuare and Adidome.
After interrogation and admission of guilt, the suspects were handed over to the Akosombo Divisional Police for further investigation and possible prosecution.
They face charges including purchasing cocoa without authority, attempting to smuggle cocoa beans, and attempting to export uninspected, ungraded, and unsealed cocoa beans.
COCOBOD has intensified efforts to curb cocoa smuggling syndicates, which cost the country millions of Ghana cedis in lost revenue.
In recent weeks, five individuals have been sentenced to a total of 19 years in prison with hard labor for their involvement in similar smuggling attempts.
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