The National Anti-Cocoa Smuggling Taskforce intercepted three heavy trucks loaded with bags of cocoa and lumber over the weekend after the suspected drivers attempted to outwit security by covering the cocoa bags with lumber.
According to Mr. Michael Paddy Kwesi Asumanu, the Bono Regional Administrator of COCOBOD, one truck was initially seized at Dormaa following a tip-off.
He said the Taskforce team, comprising National Security Personnel, acted on routine surveillance, leading to the interception of two additional vehicles at Nkrankwanta.
The Bono Regional Administrator revealed to Kaakyire Kwasi Afari of Ark FM that one of the three drivers was arrested at the spot, while the other two absconded from the scene after requesting to pray.
He suspected that the over 2,000 cocoa beans packaged in maize bags were being smuggled to neighbouring Burkina Faso or Togo for high purchase.
The trucks have been placed in the custody of the Bono Regional Police Headquarters in Sunyani pending investigation.
The first suspect has been granted bail.
Additionally, he told Kaakyire Kwasi Afari that the cocoa beans have been confiscated and are being held at the COCOBOD takeover centre in Kaase, Ashanti Region.
Mr. Michael Paddy Kwesi Asumanu described cocoa smugglers as nation wreckers highlighting their activities as unpatriotic.
The Bono Regional COCOBOD administrator highlighted the construction of cocoa roads, hospitals, and support for farmers as some of the corporate responsibilities undertaken by the Ghana COCOBOD.
He emphasized that, considering these responsibilities, it is inappropriate for farmers to smuggle cocoa to neighbouring countries out of greediness.
The administrator told journalists that Ghana stands to incur losses if cocoa smuggling persists, as the government and COCOBOD may not have sufficient funds to support their programs and initiatives.
In line with Ghana Cocoa Board vision to clampdown smuggling syndicate, Micheal Paddy Kwesi Asumanu cautioned farmers against the act.
He told Kaakyire Kwasi Afari that they have declared a war on cocoa smuggling to neighbouring countries, emphasizing that steps have also been taken to deal with smugglers in the Bono region at large.
Micheal Paddy Kwesi Asumanu called on the media and the general public to adopt “See something Say something” approach to provide tipoff to support the fight against smuggling.
Source: abmonline.com