File photo
The police have arrested a driver for attempting to smuggle a large quantity of cocoa beans to neighboring Togo.
Abraham Senyaglo, a 35-year-old native of Keta, was apprehended on Saturday night while driving a Toyota Hiace van owned by the Anlo Traditional Council.
The vehicle was packed with 26 bags of cocoa beans, cleverly concealed in fertilizer sacks to evade detection.
Eyewitnesses report that the police chase began around 22:00 hours on the Adomi-Atimpoku stretch when Senyaglo failed to stop at a police checkpoint. A high-speed pursuit followed, culminating in his arrest near the Adomi Bridge in the Eastern Region.
During questioning, Senyaglo claimed he was unaware that the cocoa beans were illegally obtained. He stated that he had been sent to Manhyia Palace to deliver items for the Asantehene's 25th Anniversary Celebrations and was asked by a friend to transport the cocoa beans on his return journey from Suhum to Dzodze.
However, the police contested Senyaglo's account, alleging that he was fully aware of the cargo's illegal nature. The suspect and the seized goods are now in the custody of the Sogakope Police, pending further investigation and prosecution.
For years, the Anti-Cocoa Smuggling Taskforce has worked tirelessly to disrupt the illegal cocoa supply chain, and this bust is a testament to their dedication and hard work. The Anlo Traditional Council has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.
The police are endeavoring to trace the origin of the beans and identify other individuals involved in the smuggling operation.
