The National Anti- Cocoa Smuggling Task Force Division of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has intercepted a smuggled cocoa beans at Mpraeso, in the Kwahu South Municipality of the Eastern Region.

The 130-bags of cocoa beans, which were smuggled through Suhum with exit to Mpraeso through to Afram Plains River in the Kwahu Afram Plains South which will make subsequent exit to Volta Region and then final entry into Togo.

A team of National Security Personnel in the Eastern Region had received tip-off while embarking on their daily routine surveillance within the Kwahu block which led to the arrest of the smugglers.

The suspects, Kwasi Edem, 55, and Dennis Hodo, a 28-year old tipper truck driver are currently in the grips of Police Custody at the Mpraeso Central Police station, assisting investigations.

The smugglers had stuffed the 130-bags of cocoa beans in the tipper truck and covered the surface with Chippings, an innovative way to swindle off the minds of security agencies in their dubious activities.

The intent is that, when they get to Togo, the price of Cocoa in Togo, which is a not cocoa producing country will double against the price of Ghana.

With Cocoa price standing at Gh2, 070, the smuggler could have made a whooping Gh269, 100 in a day.

The Municipal Chief Executive for Kwahu South, Emmanuel Atta Ofori- Snr in an interview with the media said
same operation which they started two years ago that has led to the apprehension smugglers exiting that Ghanaian corridors to Togo.

The MCE has however vowed that his District will not be used as exit point for people to smuggle Ghanaian natural resources to neighboring countries.

The MCE further called on the various MMDCE’s to tighten security in their various districts and borders to ensure that Ghanaian natural resources, especially Cocoa remains in Ghana and curb the issue of smuggling.

By: Kofi Adjei | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana