The North East Regional Police Command has arrested four suspects and intercepted 118 bags of cocoa beans destined for neighbouring Togo through the Bunkpurugu-Togo border.

The seized cocoa, weighing a total of 11,800 kilograms, was intercepted at Bunkpurugu on Sunday, August 9, 2026, following information received by the police about the suspected movement of the consignment towards the border.

According to the police in a social media post on Tuesday, August 11, 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 police, the consignment was being transported in a Hyundai Rhino truck with registration number AS-3272-25 and was loaded with plantain and cocoa.

Acting on the intelligence, a police patrol team intercepted the vehicle at the Bunkpurugu Police Snap Check Point and arrested the four occupants.

A subsequent search conducted at the Customs Office by a joint security team comprising the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Defence Intelligence, GRA Customs Division and National Security uncovered the concealed cocoa.

The security agencies found that plantain had allegedly been placed in the truck as a decoy to conceal the cocoa beans.

The four suspects remain in police custody and are assisting with investigations.

The police said the suspects would be put before court to face the full rigours of the law as investigations continue into the attempted movement of the cocoa across the border.