Central Region: Police intercept 30 bags of smuggled cocoa beans

Police in the Central Region have intercepted a bus believed to be part of a cocoa smuggling operation, uncovering 30 bags of cocoa beans concealed inside a Toyota Coaster vehicle.

Regional Police Commander DCOP Kofi Adu confirmed to the Ghana News Agency that the bust occurred on Monday, July 21, around 4:20 p.m., at the Brimso Police checkpoint. Officers flagged down the bus, bearing registration number GR 8247-20, and discovered the bags of cocoa beans stashed inside.

The driver, 42-year-old Bernard Owusu Agyemang, failed to provide any valid documentation for the cargo. He told police he had been instructed by a man named Martin to deliver the beans to an unnamed woman in Mankessim — providing only a phone number as a lead.

The police suspect the haul to be part of a larger smuggling syndicate and have launched an investigation to track down all individuals involved.

DCOP Adu emphasized that the law will deal decisively with anyone caught engaging in such illegal activities and called on the public to share credible tips to aid in cracking down on smuggling rings. He also assured potential whistleblowers that their identities would be kept strictly confidential.

The seized cocoa beans have since been transferred to the Cape Coast office of COCOBOD, where Principal Quality Control Officer Mr. Maxwell Ntiamoah received them for assessment and appropriate action.