Police bust cocoa smugglers in Elmina, 250 bags seized
Two men believed to be part of a smuggling syndicate operating out of Elmina have been arrested by the Cape Coast Police during a targeted operation aimed at disrupting illegal cocoa and drug trafficking networks.
The suspects, identified as Andy Kwofie and Francis Armah, were apprehended on Sunday, June 8, during a smuggling operation involving 250 bags of cocoa beans.
According to a statement from the Cape Coast Police Command, Andy Kwofie was intercepted while driving a Hyundai truck with registration number CR-726-25, loaded with the cocoa beans. Preliminary investigations revealed that Francis Armah was the intended recipient of the consignment, which was allegedly being prepared for transport to unnamed neighboring countries.
“The arrest is a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to dismantle smuggling syndicates that not only divert Ghana’s valuable cocoa resources but are also suspected of being involved in the trafficking of illegal drugs,” the police statement noted.
The truck and its contents have since been impounded and transferred to the Central Regional Police Headquarters in Cape Coast for further investigation. Both suspects are currently in police custody, assisting with inquiries.
Police say the operation is part of a broader intelligence-led strategy to tackle cross-border smuggling and illicit trade, which authorities say are undermining Ghana’s economy and threatening public safety.
“We are working to track down additional members of the syndicate believed to be involved in both cocoa smuggling and illicit drug operations,” the statement added.
Cocoa smuggling has been a persistent challenge for Ghana, the world’s second-largest producer of the commodity. Smugglers often exploit porous borders and weak enforcement to illegally sell cocoa beans across the region, evading taxes and export controls.
The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and national security agencies have, over the years, intensified surveillance and inter-agency collaboration to curb the practice. Sunday’s arrest adds to a growing list of recent interceptions by security agencies determined to protect the integrity of the cocoa value chain. Meanwhile, the police have called on the public to provide information that could lead to the arrest of others involved in similar smuggling operations.
