The North East Regional Police Command has arrested four suspects after intercepting 118 bags of cocoa beans weighing 11,800 kilogrammes at Bunkpurugu, allegedly being transported to neighbouring Togo.
The suspects are 35-year-old Dickson Asante, the driver of the truck; 19-year-old Gideon Tab, his mate; 22-year-old Mohammed Mumin; and 23-year-old Ernestina Akugre, who claims ownership of the consignment.
The interception took place on August 9, 2026, after the Police received intelligence 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.
Acting on the information, a Police patrol team intercepted the truck at the Bunkpurugu Police Snap Check Point and arrested the four occupants.
A joint security team comprising the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Defence Intelligence, GRA Customs Division and National Security subsequently conducted a search of the vehicle at the Customs Office.
The search revealed that the plantain was allegedly being used as a decoy to conceal the cocoa beans. The consignment was subsequently seized while the four suspects were taken into custody.
The suspects are assisting the Police with investigations and are expected to be arraigned before court to face the full rigours of the law.
Story by Freedom Etsey Labor
