Officers from the Ghana Immigration Service stationed at the Gagbiri Inland Checkpoint in the Tempane District have intercepted two drums of cocoa beans that were being smuggled into neighboring Togo. The officers, under the Pulimakom Sector Command of the GIS, acted on intelligence and stopped the tricycle transporting the cocoa beans as it was heading towards Togo via Wurianaga, an unapproved route. The owner of the goods fled upon seeing the officers. A statement issued by the Head of Public Affairs, Assistant Commissioner of Immigration (ACP) M. Amoako-Atta, indicated that investigations have begun to apprehend the owner of the suspected cocoa beans.
Background
This is the second time in two weeks that the GIS has intercepted cocoa beans purportedly being smuggled out of the country. Last week, officers of the GIS stationed at Akanu Sector Command, with the support of some officers of the Ghana Revenue Authority-Customs Division, intercepted a truck loaded with smuggled cocoa beans. The officers acting on intelligence waylaid the truck with registration number AS 2103 -W driven by one Ibrahim Fatawu.
There were 1,115 gallons stuffed with cocoa beans found in the truck at the Ave-Havi border post to be smuggled to Togo. The 1,115 gallons of cocoa beans has been handed over to officials of COCOBOD, while the truck has been impounded and the driver is assisting in further investigations. The GIS issued a caution to all would-be smugglers to desist from such activity since it negatively affects Ghana’s economy and also causes a loss of revenue to the state.
In a related development, the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kwame Asuah Takyi, has directed all Border Commanders to intensify patrols along known unapproved routes frequented by smugglers and engage community members on the negative impact smuggling has on the economy.
Source: Daily Graphic
