A Mazda mini bus seized for carrying smuggled cocoa 'vanished' into thin air at Likpe-Koforidua in the Volta region while its ignition key was in the firm grips of an anti-Cocoa smuggling task force.

The mini bus was impounded after the task force caught up with its occupants who were trying to get it out of a muddy pool it had been stuck. The smugglers fled and abandoned the cocoa and vehicle.

Briefing the media, Mr Anthony Nyabiase, spokesperson of the task force said that "destiny gave up the smugglers."

He said the task force took the keys away and left the car in the mud, however, on their return the next morning, the car had vanished.

Mr Nyabiase emphasized that members of the task force could discharge their duty diligently but need support from a joint Military and Police team to be able to prevent the main season cocoa from being smuggled out of the country.

Meanwhile, the Hohoe Divisional Police Crime Officer, Mr Anthony Shelley Darkey, has confirmed the incident and indicated that investigations are underway to arrest those involved.

Mr Prosper Zegblah, Volta Regional Manager of the Produce Buying Agency, noted that 500 bags of cocoa valued at GH¢69,000 were impounded at Likpe-Koforidua between June and October this year.

According to him, despite the occasional arrests of cocoa smugglers at Ahamansu, Kpedze, Leklebi, Menusu and Logba-Vuinta, large quantities of the produce cross into Togo on regular basis.

Mr Zagblah said as a result, the quantity of cocoa produced in the region decreased from 36,000 bags in 2000 to 13,000 bags in 2008, despite the free mass spraying of cocoa farms in the region.

He also called for a joint military and police task force to help deal with the massive smuggling of cocoa out of the region.


Source: GNA