Police Arrest Four, Intercept 118 Bags of Cocoa at Bunkpurugu-Togo border

The North East Regional Police Command has arrested four suspects and intercepted 118 bags of cocoa beans weighing 11,800 kilogrammes at Bunkpurugu in the North East Region.

The consignment, suspected to have been destined for neighbouring Togo through the Bunkpurugu-Togo border, was intercepted on August 9, 2026, following a tip-off received by the Police about a truck transporting cocoa under suspicious circumstances.

The suspects have been identified as Dickson Asante, 35, the driver of the truck; Gideon Tab, 19, his mate; Mohammed Mumin, 22; and Ernestina Akugre, 23, who claimed ownership of the consignment.

According to the Ghana Police Service, the suspects were travelling in a Hyundai Rhino truck with registration number AS-3272-25. The vehicle was loaded with plantain and cocoa and was heading towards the Togo border.

A Police patrol team intercepted the truck at the Bunkpurugu Police Snap Check Point and arrested the four occupants.

The vehicle was subsequently escorted to the Customs Office, where a joint security team searched. The team included personnel from the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Defence Intelligence, the GRA Customs Division and National Security.

During the search, the security team discovered 118 bags of cocoa beans weighing 11,800 kilogrammes concealed underneath the plantain.

The Police said the plantain appeared to have been used as a decoy to conceal the cocoa beans and facilitate their movement towards the Togo border.

The four suspects remain in Police custody and are assisting with investigations. They are expected to be brought before court to face the law.

The Ghana Police Service disclosed the arrest and seizure in a statement published on its social media platforms on August 11, 2026.

https://x.com/GhPoliceService/status/2087117791094563103?s=20