ANTI-COCOA SMUGGLING TASKFORCE CONFISCATES 400 BAGS OF SMUGGLED COCOA BEANS

Date: 16th July 2024

The Anti-Cocoa Smuggling Taskforce of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service has seized 400 bags of smuggled cocoa beans across several key locations. This marks a significant achievement in the ongoing efforts to tackle the illegal cocoa trade.

The Taskforce, whose intensive efforts have recently led to several arrests and incarcerations, executed the latest operations in Atebubu, Adomi Bridge on the Atimpoku Highway, and Sogakope in the Volta Region, resulting in the arrests.

The operations, carried out between July 1 and 13, were based on tip-offs and involved various vehicles, including trailer trucks and saloon cars, that were being used to transport the cocoa to neighbouring Togo.

During a media briefing, Mr. Charles Amenyaglo, Director of Special Services and Head of the Anti-Smuggling Taskforce at COCOBOD, provided details on the operations, as follows: 

On Monday, July 1, the Taskforce intercepted two trucks near Atebubu-Amantin, uncovering 160 bags of smuggled cocoa beans destined for Togo via Dambai in the Oti Region.

Then on the dawn of Thursday, July 11, a team on patrol around Sogakope intercepted three vehicles—a Land Cruiser Prado and two Toyota Corolla saloon cars—carrying a total of 20 bags of smuggled cocoa beans concealed in fertilizer bags.

The latest operation on July 13 saw Taskforce members stationed at the Adomi Bridge intercept a trailer carrying two containers. They recovered 218 bags of smuggled cocoa beans packed in one of the containers.

Mr. Amenyaglo confirmed that all vehicles involved have been impounded and the suspects are currently in custody at the Atebubu and Sogakope Police Stations, assisting with investigations.. 

The crackdown on cocoa smuggling remains a top priority for the Taskforce, as the illicit trade undermines the local cocoa industry and poses a significant threat to the economy by depriving the country of crucial export revenues.