Police arrest 4, intercept 118 bags of cocoa being smuggled to Togo in North East Region
Suspects Used Plantain As Decoy To Conceal 11,800kg Consignment At Bunkpurugu Border
The North East Regional Police Command has arrested four people and intercepted 118 bags of cocoa beans weighing 11,800 kilogrammes suspected to be destined for Togo.
The interception took place on Saturday, August 9, 2026, at Bunkpurugu, following a tip-off that a Hyundai Rhino truck with registration number AS-3272-25 loaded with plantain and cocoa was being transported under suspicious circumstances towards the Bunkpurugu-Togo border.
How The Interception Happened
A police patrol team intercepted the truck at the Bunkpurugu Police Snap Check Point and arrested the occupants. The suspects have been identified as Dickson Asante, 35, the driver; Gideon Tab, 19, his mate; Mohammed Mumin, 22; and Ernestina Akugre, 23, who claimed ownership of the consignment.
A joint security team comprising personnel from the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Defence Intelligence, GRA Customs Division and National Security later searched the vehicle at the Customs Office.
Plantain Used As Decoy
During the search, security officials discovered that the plantain on the truck was being used as a decoy to conceal the bags of cocoa beans.
The total seizure amounted to 118 bags of cocoa beans weighing 11,800kg.
Suspects In Custody
The North East Regional Police Command said the four suspects are currently in custody assisting investigations. They are expected to be arraigned before court to face the full rigours of the law.
Smuggling of cocoa across Ghana’s borders remains a major concern for COCOBOD and security agencies, as it deprives the country of revenue and undermines regulated marketing of the crop.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to intensify patrols along border towns in the North East Region to clamp down on the practice.
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