The police have arrested three suspects in connection with the alleged smuggling of quantities of cocoa beans to the neighbouring countries of either Togo or Burkina Faso, the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has confirmed.

The suspects include one of the drivers, and two driver-mates of the three heavy duty trucks which were carrying the 1,473 maxi bags of cocoa beans covered with lumber, with the suspects being granted bail, but assisting in police investigations.

Two other suspects (drivers) involved in the crime are on the run.

The Anti-Smuggling Task Force of the COCOBOD intercepted the trucks with registration numbers GR 7237-21, GR-314-24, and AS 5278-23 at Nkrankwanta in the Dormaa West District of the Region.

Briefing the media in Sunyani, Mr Michael P.K. Asumanu, the Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo Regional Administrator of the COCOBOD, said the taskforce comprised of the police, National Investigations Bureau, National Security and the COCOBOD.

He said the seized trucks had since been sent to the Bono Regional Police Headquarters in Sunyani for safekeeping, while the COCOBOD had taken custody of the cocoa beans since no one had claimed ownership of them.

Mr Asumanu said smuggling causes huge economic loss to the nation, because cocoa contributes hugely to the economy, and urged the public to support it in the fight against smuggling of the beans, saying “we design rewards for informants.”

Mr Emmanuel Ntiako, the Acting Bono Regional Manager of the Forestry Commission, later told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the commission was also assessing the lumber too.