Cocoa crime alert: Police bust illegal shipment at Brimso checkpoint
Police intercept suspicious cocoa shipment
On Monday, July 21, 2025, officers at the Brimso Police checkpoint made a startling discovery. A Toyota Coaster Bus with registration number GR 8247-20 was carrying 30 large bags of cocoa beans. The driver failed to provide any documentation proving the source or destination of the cargo.
According to DCOP Kofi Adu, the Regional Commander, police believe the beans were unlawfully acquired. The bus was intercepted around 4:20 p.m., raising red flags due to the scale and lack of verification.
Driver’s story fails to convince officers
The driver, Bernard Owusu Agyemang, aged 42, told police he was instructed by a man named Martin to deliver the beans to a woman in Mankessim. He claimed not to know her identity and offered only a phone number.
This lack of detail and clear documentation led police to suspect an organized cocoa smuggling ring, prompting a full investigation.
Authorities crack down on cocoa theft
This incident adds to growing concerns about cocoa smuggling in Ghana, a practice that undermines national revenue and weakens farmer protections.
The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and national security agencies have increased monitoring efforts in border regions and transit routes to combat this trend.
Take-home message
Cocoa is Ghana’s economic backbone. Smuggling threatens this lifeline and robs hardworking farmers and the country of rightful earnings.
Smuggling cocoa is a serious crime. If you see something suspicious, report it.
Stay tuned for updates as the investigation into the Brimso cocoa smuggling case continues.
