The Central Regional Police Command has intercepted a Toyota Coaster bus suspected of being used to smuggle cocoa beans.
The vehicle was carrying 30 bags of cocoa, believed to have been illegally obtained.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Kofi Adu, the Regional Commander, confirmed the incident to the media.
He explained that on Monday, July 21, at approximately 4:20 p.m., officers at the Brimso Police checkpoint stopped a bus with registration number GR 8247-20.
A search of the vehicle uncovered the cocoa beans, for which the driver could not provide any documentation.
The driver, 42-year-old Bernard Owusu Agyemang, told police he had been instructed by a man identified only as Martin to deliver the beans to a woman in Mankessim. He was unable to provide her name, offering only a phone number as contact.
DCOP Adu said investigations are ongoing to uncover and dismantle the smuggling syndicate behind the operation.
He emphasized that those found culpable will be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.
He also urged the public to assist law enforcement by reporting any suspicious activity related to cocoa smuggling, assuring that the identities of whistleblowers will be kept confidential.
In the meantime, the seized cocoa beans have been handed over to the Cape Coast office of COCOBOD for quality assessment and further action.
The beans were received by Mr. Maxwell Ntiamoah, the Principal Quality Control Officer.
