The North East Regional Police Command has arrested four suspects and intercepted 118 bags of cocoa beans weighing approximately 11,800 kilogrammes at Bunkpurugu, suspected to have been destined for neighbouring 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 claimed ownership of the consignment.The interception took place on Sunday, August 9, 2026, following intelligence received by the Police that a Hyundai Rhino truck with registration number AS-3272-25, loaded with plantain and cocoa beans, was being transported under suspicious circumstances towards the Togo border.
Acting on the information, a Police patrol team intercepted the truck at the Bunkpurugu Police Snap Check Point and arrested the four occupants.A subsequent joint search conducted by the Police, Ghana Immigration Service, Defence Intelligence, GRA Customs Division and National Security at the Customs Office uncovered the concealed cocoa beans.
According to the Police, the plantain loaded onto the truck was being used as a decoy to conceal the cocoa consignment.The four suspects are currently in Police custody assisting with investigations and are expected to be put before court to face the full rigours of the law.
The interception forms part of ongoing efforts by security agencies to prevent the illegal movement of cocoa and other commodities across Ghana’s borders.
