ANTI-COCOA SMUGGLING TASKFORCE INTERCEPTS 16 BAGS OF COCOA AT SOGAKOPE

Date: 17th September 2025

Personnel from the National Anti-Cocoa Smuggling Taskforce, working in conjunction with the Sogakope District Police, have intercepted 16 bags of cocoa beans concealed in a commercial passenger vehicle (trotro) in Sogakope, Volta Region, as part of intensified efforts to combat cocoa smuggling.

The interception was based on intelligence that a vehicle with registration number GM 114-16, travelling from Accra, was allegedly transporting cocoa towards Aflao, likely intending to cross the border into Togo. Upon inspection, the beans were discovered hidden in the roof compartment of the vehicle.

To disguise the operation, regular passengers had been onboard to create the appearance of a typical commercial trip.

The vehicle’s driver, identified as David Nukunu, escaped during the operation and is currently at large. The cocoa and the vehicle are now in the custody of the Sogakope District Police, who are working with COCOBOD to investigate further.

This is not the first time the vehicle has been implicated, as records show that on 2nd September 2025, the same vehicle was intercepted at Kpotame with 16 bags of cocoa, thanks to collaboration between COCOBOD and the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD).

COCOBOD remains dedicated to strengthening anti-smuggling operations to protect the cocoa industry and prevent Ghana's strategic commodity from being diverted to neighbouring countries.