The National Anti-Cocoa Smuggling Task Force has intercepted 400 bags of cocoa beans and arrested 12 suspects who attempted to bribe officers with GH¢80,000.
The Task Force, comprising personnel from the Ministry of National Security, Ghana Cocoa Board, and an intelligence-led operation, impounded two trucks loaded with the cocoa beans, which were being smuggled to Togo.
The smugglers had stuffed the bagged cocoa beans into the trucks and covered them with Tapoli, a tactic that has been used in previous smuggling attempts in the Kwahu South Municipality.
The Task Force, with assistance from the Formed Police Unit, arrested 12 suspects, including drivers, mates, boat operators, and loading boys. One suspect is still at large.
The Kwahu South Municipal Chief Executive, Emmanuel Atta Ofori Snr, commended the Task Force for their swift intervention and urged his colleague MMDCEs and state security services to be patriotic in the fight against cocoa smuggling.
He also pleaded with the judiciary to act swiftly on the matter, as this is the third time such a case has been recorded in the municipality.
