A truck carrying 1,115 gallons of cocoa beans has been intercepted at the Ave-Havi border in the Volta Region, near Togo, through a joint operation by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

Driven by Ibrahim Fatawu, the vehicle, registered as AS 2103-W, was found transporting the smuggled cocoa.

As part of continuous efforts to combat illegal exports of Ghana’s premium cocoa, authorities uncovered the smuggled beans hidden in gallons inside the truck.

COCOBOD’s Director of Special Services, Mr. Charles Amenyaglo, explained that the cocoa was being smuggled for sale in Togo to bypass Ghana’s regulated pricing system.

Now under the custody of COCOBOD and GRA, the seized consignment remains subject to further investigations.

Expressing his concerns, Mr. Amenyaglo remarked, “This interception is a proof that cocoa smuggling remains a serious issue in Ghana and we are intensifying our efforts to track down these illegal operations and protect our farmers and the economy.”

The Board’s Head of Security has reiterated its dedication to safeguarding Ghana’s cocoa industry from illegal trade. “We remain vigilant and will continue working with security agencies to prevent the smuggling of cocoa, which threatens the livelihoods of our hardworking farmers and the economy as a whole.”

Strict legal consequences await those caught in cocoa smuggling, as authorities have issued a strong warning against such activities.

The latest interception underscores COCOBOD and the government’s determination to protect Ghana’s cocoa sector from illegal trade.

To further safeguard the nation’s cocoa resources, COCOBOD’s management is urging the public to report any suspicious activities related to cocoa smuggling.