A truck carrying 275 bags of dried cocoa beans on its way to Togo has been intercepted at the Aflao Border by the National Intelligence Bureau’s (NIB) Aflao Division.
The accused, Francis Ewuah, the driver, and Ebenezer Tetteh, the truck owner, both 35 years old, have been detained by police prison pending investigations.
Cocoa smuggling through unapproved routes is rampant along the Ghana-Togo frontiers due to the porous nature of the borders.
At about 7pm last Monday, the 13th of March, the Aflao Division of the National Intelligence Bureau, NIB had a tip-off that some persons were transporting cocoa beans from Osinase in the Eastern Region through Aflao to neighboring Togo.
Upon reaching the Aflao-Togo Border, the NIB intercepted the truck with registration number GX 8579 22.
After a search on the vehicle, two hundred and seventy five bags of cocoa beans were found and upon interrogation, the two suspects admitted their involvement in the crime.
The Director in Charge of Special Services of the Ghana COCOBOD, Charles Amenyaglo briefed the media on the operation.
Mr. Amenyaglo commended the Aflao NIB command for its vigilance which led to the arrest of the suspects.
He appealed to the public to be vigilant and help the security agencies to arrest people who smuggle cocoa into Togo through illegal routes.
The truck has since been impounded by the Police and the suspects remanded for further investigations after appearing in Court.