The Central North Regional Police Command has intercepted 90 bags of cocoa beans believed to have been smuggled.
This follow the arrest of a Hyundai Mighty Gold Truck with registration number GE-9775-24 at Assin Dompim in the Assin Fosu Municipality of the Central Region.
Briefing the media, the Central North Regional Commander, DCOP Abraham Acquaye, stated that the police acted on intelligence and mounted an ambush along the Dompim–Adukrom route around 1 a.m. on Sunday, July 27, 2025.
He said, upon spotting the vehicle, officers signaled the driver to stop, but he ignored the directive and sped off.
However, the police pursued the truck in a hot chase, leading the driver to abandon both the vehicle and its contents in a nearby bush.
To avoid detection, the cocoa beans being transported in the vehicle were concealed in fertilizer sacks and covered with bags of charcoal, he added.
According to him, they impounded the truck and promptly notified the Anti-Cocoa Smuggling Taskforce of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) for further action.
Efforts are currently underway to track down and apprehend the suspects behind the smuggling attempt.
DCOP Abraham Acquaye commended the team of police officers for their bravery and swift action, noting that they risked their lives and acted with urgency and professionalism to ensure the suspected smuggled cocoa beans were successfully intercepted.
He praised their dedication to duty and emphasized that such efforts are crucial in curbing illegal cocoa trade, which continues to threaten the nation’s economy and the livelihood of genuine cocoa farmers.
He assured of efforts currently underway to track down and apprehend the suspects behind the smuggling attempt.
On his part, the Community Cocoa Health and Extension Officer at Assin Fosu, Emmanuel Bright Baidoo who represented the Ghana Cocoa Board, lauded the police for their swift and decisive intervention in intercepting the smuggled cocoa beans.
He commended their commitment to protecting the cocoa industry and called for thorough investigations to bring all perpetrators to justice.
