A multi-agency security team led by the Bunkpurugu Immigration Command has intercepted 118 bags of cocoa beans concealed beneath a load of plantains along the Bunkpurugu border road.
Four suspects have been arrested and are currently in police custody assisting with investigations.
The suspects are 35-year-old Dickson Asante, the driver of the truck; 19-year-old Gideon Tab, his mate; 22-year-old Mohammed Mumin; and 23-year-old Ernestina Akugre, who claims ownership of the consignment.
Reports indicate that the operation was carried out at about 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 9, 2026, following intelligence from the North East Regional National Security Coordinator, Ernest Bawanin Guat.
The task force, comprising personnel from the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Defence Intelligence, the National Security/Signal Bureau and the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), mounted an operation along the border road.
During the exercise, the team intercepted a Hyundai truck with registration number AS-3272-25.
Although the truck appeared to be transporting plantains, officers conducted a thorough search at the Customs office and discovered 118 bags of cocoa beans concealed beneath the plantains.
The operation was led by the Immigration Commander for the Bunkpurugu-Nakpaduri District, ACI Edwin Adejetey Doku.
The intercepted cocoa, estimated to weigh about 11,800 kilogrammes, has been taken into the custody of the Customs Division of the GRA.
The suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue to establish the circumstances surrounding the attempted movement of the cocoa.
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