Accra, Nov. 18, GNA - Personnel of Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) have confiscated 145 maxi bags of dried cocoa beans concealed in a cargo truck under non-traditional goods being exported to Togo. The truck with registration number AS 2454 G, which had a manifested cargo of hurricane lamps, loaded from the Tudu cargo station in Accra was impounded at CEPS frontier station at Akanu near Aflao in the Volta Region. Yusif Dauda, driver of the vehicle, denied any knowledge of the cocoa beans because some agents, now at large, chartered his vehicle to transport the cargo although he was not present when the vehicle was loaded. He is assisting the security agencies in their investigations. Mr Emmanuel Ackwerh, CEPS Deputy Commissioner in-charge of preventive, briefing newsmen in Accra warned vehicle owners and drivers to refrain from engaging in cocoa smuggling.

He appealed to people along the country's frontiers not to condone, connive or serve as avenues for cocoa smuggling. Mr Ackwerh said personnel of CEPS in collaboration with other security agencies would intensify their efforts to arrest cocoa smugglers. The impounded cocoa beans were handed over to the management of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD). 18 Nov. 09