Two Caught with 250 Bags of Cocoa in Elmina
Police in Elmina, Central Region, arrested two men on June 8, 2025, for attempting to smuggle 250 bags of cocoa beans out of Ghana. The suspects were caught during a special intelligence operation, as announced by the Ghana Police Service on June 10. The cocoa was likely headed for illegal sale across borders.
The arrests took place at a checkpoint in Elmina, where officers found the cocoa bags hidden in a truck. The suspects, whose names have not been released, are in custody and helping with the investigation. Police seized the cocoa, valued at thousands of cedis, to protect Ghana’s cocoa industry.
Cocoa smuggling is a growing problem in Ghana, a major global cocoa producer. Smugglers often sell beans to neighboring countries for higher prices, hurting local farmers and the economy. The police are working with the Ghana Cocoa Board to crack down on such illegal activities.
The suspects are expected to face charges for illegal possession and attempted smuggling. Authorities are investigating if others were involved in the scheme. The police praised their team’s alertness and urged the public to report suspicious activities to help stop smuggling.
This bust follows a similar case in Kumasi last month, where two others were caught with 20 bags of cocoa. Ghana is stepping up efforts to protect its cocoa trade, vital for millions of livelihoods, as global demand for cocoa rises.