Police Arrest Four, Intercept 118 Bags of Cocoa Destined for Togo

The North East Regional Police Command has arrested four suspects and intercepted 118 bags of cocoa beans weighing 11,800 kilogrammes at Bunkpurugu, allegedly being transported towards neighbouring Togo.

According to a police statement issued on Tuesday morning, the consignment was suspected to have been destined for Togo through 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 allegedly claimed ownership of the cocoa.

Police said the interception took place on August 9, 2026, after receiving information that a Hyundai Rhino truck with registration number AS-3272-25, loaded with plantain and cocoa, was being transported under suspicious circumstances towards the Togo border.

Acting on the intelligence, a police patrol team intercepted the vehicle at the Bunkpurugu Police Snap Check Point and arrested the four suspects.

A joint security team comprising the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Defence Intelligence, GRA Customs Division and National Security subsequently conducted a search of the vehicle at the Customs Office.

The search, according to police, revealed that the plantain was being used as a decoy to conceal the cocoa beans.

The four suspects are currently in police custody assisting with investigations. They are expected to be put before court to face the full rigours of the law.

The interception comes amid continued efforts by Ghanaian security agencies to prevent the illegal movement of cocoa across the country’s borders.