Two individuals, a driver and a teacher, have faced legal consequences for attempting to smuggle cocoa beans to Togo. The Odumase-Krobo circuit court convicted and sentenced them in separate incidents.
The Anti-Cocoa Smuggling Taskforce intercepted the suspects last week as they were transporting the smuggled cocoa beans to the neighboring country.
The first convict, Abraham Benning Donkor, a 38-year-old driver, received a five-year jail term with hard labor for unauthorized purchasing of cocoa beans. He was also fined 250 penalty units for two counts of attempting to export uninspected cocoa beans and for attempting to smuggle and export cocoa beans without proper inspection.
On the other hand, George Ametekpor, a teacher, was fined an amount of GH ₵ 3,000.00, equivalent to 250 penalty units, for the same offenses. Both individuals pleaded guilty to the charges and were convicted based on their own pleas by the presiding judge, His Honour Kwesi Abaiddu Apiate.
Abraham was caught with five bags of cocoa at Mame Water, just after crossing the Adomi Bridge, while George was intercepted with four bags of cocoa at the same location. Despite admitting ownership of the goods, George claimed he was contracted by someone to transport the cocoa beans and was left hanging when the alleged owner failed to show up.
Both individuals have since faced legal consequences for their actions, and the court has ordered the confiscated cocoa beans to be handed over to the Ghana Cocoa Board authorities. This serves as a warning to others involved in illegal cocoa smuggling activities.
