By Ruth Oppong Nyarko
The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has handed over 148 bags of cocoa beans intercepted by the customs station at Akanu in the Volta Region to the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).
Briefing the press, the Chief Collector, Client Relations of GRA, Robert Mensah, explained that the cocoa beans were being conveyed by two buses believed to be coming from Sefwi towards Togo.
“It would be recalled that Customs and Bureau National Investigation (BNI) officers at the Akanu Customs station intercepted a Mercedes Benz truck at Dodze following a tip-off about cocoa beans being smuggled to the Republic of Togo,” he noted.
He however observed that four persons who were couriers on board the truck have been handed over to the police to aid investigations.
Noah Amenyah, Public Affairs Manager of COCOBOD, expressed gratitude to the GRA for their effort and was hopeful they would continue to help intercept any recalcitrant person that would attempt to smuggle cocoa outside the country.
He further explained that his outfit will examine the cocoa beans and offer both the quality and substandard ones to the appropriate companies.
He also called on the general public to help curb this menace by giving tip-offs to aid in the arrest of smugglers as they will be rewarded.
“The customs division takes this opportunity to advise the public that it is an offence to import or export goods through unapproved routes, and therefore such goods upon interception, are liable to forfeiture,” Mr Mensah added.
Meanwhile, the cocoa beans have been sent for examination and the case is being investigated to find the owner of the buses.
Published in Daily Guide 7th June 2011
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