Police in Ghana’s North East Region have arrested four people and seized 118 bags of cocoa beans believed to have been destined for neighbouring Togo.
The cocoa, weighing about 11,800kg, was intercepted at Bunkpurugu on 9th August 2026 after police received information about a truck carrying a suspicious consignment towards the Bunkpurugu-Togo border.
The suspects have been identified as Dickson Asante, 35, the driver of the truck; Gideon Tab, 19, his mate; Mohammed Mumin, 22; and Ernestina Akugre, 23, who is said to have claimed ownership of the cocoa.
Police said they received information that a Hyundai Rhino truck, with registration number AS-3272-25, was transporting plantain and cocoa towards the Togo border under suspicious circumstances.
A patrol team subsequently stopped the vehicle at the Bunkpurugu Police Snap Check Point and arrested the four occupants.
The truck was later taken to the Customs Office, where a joint security team comprising the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Defence Intelligence, the GRA Customs Division and National Security conducted a search.
The search revealed that the plantain was allegedly being used as a decoy to conceal the cocoa beans.
The four suspects remain in police custody and are assisting with investigations.
Police said they will be put before court to face the law as investigations continue.
