Misunderstanding among security personnel over smuggled cocoa resolved
On Wednesday, October 9, a disagreement emerged at the Missiga security checkpoint in Bawku, situated in the Upper East Region. Members of the Ghana Armed Forces, the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, and the Ghana Police Service were involved.
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The misunderstanding among personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces, Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Service, and the Ghana Police Service at Missiga Security Checkpoint over intercepted bags of smuggled cocoa has been resolved.
This is according to a Press Statement by the Ghana Police Service.
On Wednesday, October 9, a disagreement emerged at the Missiga security checkpoint in Bawku, situated in the Upper East Region. Members of the Ghana Armed Forces, the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, and the Ghana Police Service were involved.
The issue stemmed from the interception of a truck carrying smuggled cocoa bags at the checkpoint, leading to differing interpretations of responsibilities among the security agencies.
The Ghana Police Service explained that they had stopped the truck based on intelligence and were escorting it to the Bawku Divisional Police Command for further action.
Their intention was to transfer the seized cocoa to the Ghana COCOBOD for proper investigation and prosecution, following standard procedures.
The police stressed that their actions followed protocol and refuted any allegations of assisting in smuggling activities, countering rumors that suggested otherwise.
They also highlighted that this incident came after two recent successful interceptions of smuggled cocoa beans in the region. In those instances, the cocoa was handed over to COCOBOD, and legal actions were taken against the offenders. Citing this track record, the police dismissed any accusations of complicity in smuggling, emphasizing their dedication to upholding the law.
To address the tensions among the security agencies, leaders from the Ghana Armed Forces, Customs Division, and Police Service promptly stepped in.
Their intervention aimed at resolving the misunderstanding at a national level, ensuring that cooperation among the agencies would be restored, and any differences resolved peacefully.
Additionally, it noted that the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), led by the Upper East Regional Minister, is working with those involved at the regional level.
