The Ghana Cocobod Intelligence Unit together with Asamankese District Police Command have intercepted Cocoa beans packaged in 35 Oil drums for smuggling at Asuokaw, near Asamankese in the Eastern Region.
A total of 35 drums which looks like Oil but rather cocoa bean were seized in a KIA vehicle with a registration number ER 856-14 last night after a joint operation by the Cocobod and Police.
One David Nartey, who claimed to be owner of the vehicle has been arrested and assisting the police for further investigation.
Cocobod Intelligence Unit together with the Cocobod opened one drum at the District Police Command and weighed it and got 144kg(two bags and 16kg) in it and have sent all 35 drums to Cocobod headquarters to access it quantity and quality
Mr Charles Amenyaglo, Director of Special Services, Ghana Cocobod in an interview said Cocoa smuggling has been a business for some Ghanaians who go to the farmers and cheat them to get the cocoa beans for smuggling to neighbouring Countries due to differences in Price.
According to him, Cocobod has recorded eight cases of cocoa smuggling recently in the Eastern Region and just last and this week, similar cases were recorded in Tepa, Elubo,Afloa and Ho.
He said when Cocobod Intelligence Unit and Police got to Asuokaw,the people who were loading the Vehicle ran away and abandoned the vehicle.
Mr Charles Amenyaglo called on Ghanaians to support Cocobod to fight cocoa smuggling by giving tip off to the Police.
Source:Mybrytfmonline/Mensah Atakora
