The Ghana Police Service has denied allegations of involvement in a cocoa smuggling operation at the Missiga security checkpoint at Bawku in the Upper East Region.
On October 9, 2024, a misunderstanding erupted between personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces, the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, and the Police, over an intercepted truck carrying smuggled cocoa bags.
According to a statement from the Police, the intercepted consignment was seized based on intelligence, and officers were in the process of escorting the truck to the Bawku Divisional Police Command.
The plan was to hand over the smuggled goods to COCOBOD, with the intention of investigating and prosecuting those responsible, in accordance with an established protocol between the Police and COCOBOD.
The Police noted that they had recently intercepted two other cocoa smuggling attempts in the region, both of which were successfully handed over to COCOBOD, and suspects are currently being prosecuted.
They emphasized that claims suggesting the Police were facilitating the smuggling are unfounded.
The leadership of the Ghana Armed Forces, Customs Division, and the Police have since intervened to resolve the issue at the national level, ensuring harmony and cooperation among the security agencies.
Additionally, the Upper East Regional Security Council (REGSEC), chaired by the Regional Minister, is holding discussions with personnel and their leaders to address the situation at the regional level.