General News of Friday, 1 November 2002

Source: .

Togolese Arrested

Personnel of the Criminal Intelligence Unit of the Hohoe Divisional Police on Wednesday, this week arrested a 30-year-old Togolese for allegedly smuggling 24 maxi bags of cocoa out of Kute in the Jasikan district.

Mr. Daniel Otchere, Hohoe Divisional Commander, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the police arrested the suspect, also known as 'assirock' and resident at Kute, following a tip off on October 22.

The police said a quantity of cocoa beans and 24 empty cocoa sacks made in Togo were found in the suspect's room.

He said an "Olonka" tin, used by smugglers in buying cocoa in the area, was also found in the suspect's room.

The smugglers had reportedly been buying an Olonka of cocoa at ?10,000 cedis in the Kute area, a border town with neighbouring Togo.

Meanwhile, the police are conducting further investigations into the case.

Mr. Kwesi Bediako-Addey, Volta Regional Manager of the Produce Buying Company (PBC), congratulated the police for their vigilance.

He appealed to the PBC to provide the Unit with a vehicle to enable them track down the smugglers who are indulging in illicit trade along the borders.