The National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) has successfully intercepted a large consignment of dried cocoa beans suspected of being smuggled to Togo. The operation took place in Dambai, located in the Krachi East Municipality of the Oti Region.
The three trucks involved were disguised as crates of soda drinks and reportedly made their way from the Ashanti Region, traversing through the Eastern Region and crossing the Volta River from Affram Plains before being stopped by NIB officials.
According to authorities, the drivers and their conductors are currently in custody, assisting with ongoing investigations. This incident highlights the growing concerns about smuggling and other cross-border crimes in the Oti Region, particularly in areas like Guan, Kadjebi, Nkwanta North, and Nkwanta South Municipality.
Cocoa smugglers are increasingly utilizing northern corridors within the Oti Region to transport illegal cocoa beans to neighboring Togo. Industry insiders have voiced their worries about the illicit trade, which they believe is supported by unscrupulous individuals and networks. The rise in cocoa smuggling is largely attributed to attractive prices offered by Togolese buyers.
Additionally, smugglers have adopted new tactics to evade detection, concealing their contraband within assorted drinks to bypass police checkpoints unnoticed.
Local residents have expressed concern over the implications of cocoa smuggling on farmers’ livelihoods, urging the government to prioritize equipping the NIB to combat such issues effectively. They also called for recognition and rewards for the Oti Regional Command of the NIB for their dedication to national duty.
As the case unfolds, the Ghana Police Service has yet to take over the investigation. In response to the smuggling issue, the Ghana Cocoa Board has encouraged the public to report any suspicious cocoa smuggling activities to security agencies, offering rewards for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of offenders.
