The Central Region Police Command has intercepted a Toyota Coaster bus carrying 30 bags of cocoa beans, suspected to be the product of smuggling activities.  

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DCOP) Kofi Adu, Regional Commander, confirmed it to the Ghana News Agency on Friday. 

He stated that on Monday, July 21, at about 1620 hours, officers stationed at the Brimso Police checkpoint stopped the vehicle with registration number GR 8247-20 and found 30 bags of cocoa beans believed to have been unlawfully acquired in it. 

The driver, Bernard Owusu Agyemang, aged 42, was unable to produce any documentation to the cargo and claimed he was asked by an individual named Martin to deliver them to an unnamed woman in Mankessim, providing only her phone number as a point of contact. 

DCOP Adu assured that an investigation would be conducted to identify and apprehend the syndicate responsible for the crime to face the full brunt of the law to serve as a deterrent to others.  

He urged the public to provide timely information that could lead to the arrest of smugglers engaged in similar illicit activities. 

He further assured informants and whistle blowers that their identities would be protected. 

Meanwhile, the police have handed over the beans to the Cape Coast office of COCOBOD for the requisite quality assessment and further action. 

They were received by Mr. Maxwell Ntiamoah, the Principal Quality Control Officer.