The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has successfully intercepted two separate cocoa smuggling attempts along the country’s eastern border, preventing large quantities of cocoa beans from being illegally transported into Togo.
The latest interception occurred at the Gagbiri Inland Checkpoint in the Tempane District, where GIS officers under the Pulimakom Sector Command acted swiftly on intelligence. They stopped a tricycle attempting to smuggle two drums of cocoa beans through Wurianaga, an unapproved route.
Upon seeing the officers, the suspected smuggler abandoned the goods and fled. Authorities have since launched investigations to track down the owner of the intercepted cocoa beans, according to a statement issued by Assistant Commissioner of Immigration (ACP) M. Amoako-Atta, Head of Public Affairs.
This is the second major cocoa smuggling attempt intercepted by the GIS in two weeks.
Last week, officers at the Akanu Sector Command, in collaboration with the Ghana Revenue Authority-Customs Division, stopped a truck loaded with smuggled cocoa beans at the Ave-Havi border post.
- The intercepted truck, with registration number AS 2103-W, was driven by Ibrahim Fatawu.
- Authorities discovered 1,115 gallons stuffed with cocoa beans, hidden for illegal export.
- The truck was impounded, and the driver is assisting with investigations.
The confiscated cocoa beans from both cases have been handed over to COCOBOD for processing, while authorities continue efforts to apprehend the individuals involved.
The Ghana Immigration Service has warned against cocoa smuggling, emphasizing its negative impact on Ghana’s economy. Illegal exports of cocoa deny the country much-needed foreign exchange earnings and undermine efforts to support local farmers.
In response to the increasing smuggling incidents, the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kwame Asuah Takyi, has ordered heightened border surveillance, directing all border commanders to intensify patrols along known smuggling routes.
Additionally, community engagement initiatives will be rolled out to educate locals on the economic consequences of cocoa smuggling and encourage them to report suspicious activities.
With cocoa being a key export commodity for Ghana, authorities are determined to clamp down on smuggling operations and protect the integrity of the country’s agricultural economy.
