The North East Regional Police Command has arrested four people and intercepted 118 bags of cocoa beans allegedly being transported to Togo through the Bunkpurugu border.
The consignment, weighing 11,800 kilograms, was intercepted at Bunkpurugu on Sunday, August 9, 2026, following intelligence received by the police about the suspected movement of cocoa towards the Togo border.
The suspects have been identified as Dickson Asante, 35, the driver of the vehicle; Gideon Tab, 19, the mate; Mohammed Mumin, 22; and Ernestina Akugre, 23, who claimed ownership of the cocoa.
According to the police, the cocoa was being transported in a Hyundai Rhino truck with registration number AS-3272-25.
The vehicle was reportedly loaded with plantain and cocoa. Acting on the intelligence, a police patrol team intercepted it at the Bunkpurugu Police Snap Check Point and arrested the four occupants.
A subsequent search at the Customs Office by a joint security team uncovered the cocoa beans.
The team comprised personnel from the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Defence Intelligence, the GRA Customs Division and National Security.
Police said the plantain had allegedly been placed in the truck as a decoy to conceal the cocoa beans.
The four suspects remain in police custody and are assisting with investigations.
The police said the suspects would be put before court as investigations continue into the attempted movement of the cocoa across the border.
