The National Intelligence Bureau(NIB) in the Oti Regional capital of Dambai, has intercepted three trucks smuggling dried cocoa beans to Togo.
The beans were concealed as crates of minerals were from the Ashanti Region.
The drivers and their mates have since been arrested and currently facing charges.
Smugglers are increasingly using the northern corridors in the Oti Region to transport cocoa beans to neighbouring countries.
To crack down on the syndicates, surveillance has been heightened in the area.
The development comes amidst concerns about smuggling and other cross-border activities through the Oti Region.
Checks by Adom News have revealed a surge in cocoa smuggling in parts of the Oti Region particularly in the Guan District, Kadjebi, Nkwanta North and South Municipality.
The smugglers in their bid to evade arrest now use assorted drinks as concealment to commute through police barriers with their contraband undetected.
Some officials from the Cocoa Board have lamented about the illegal trade that is being facilitated by unscrupulous individuals.
According to them, the surge in cocoa smuggling from Ghana into Togo where the market is unregulated is driven by attractive prices offered by the Togolese buyers.
They have urged all Ghanaians to join the fight against cocoa smuggling by providing information to the security so that it can help protect the country’s cocoa industry.
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