Bunkpurugu, North East Region – April 6, 2025
In a decisive and well-coordinated operation, officers of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) stationed at the Bunkpurugu Sector Command in the North East Region have successfully intercepted a significant smuggling attempt involving 25 bags of cocoa beans being illegally transported into neighbouring Togo.
The operation, which unfolded late Sunday night around 10:00 p.m., April 6, was the result of timely intelligence received by the GIS. According to an official statement signed by Rev. ACI Edwin Adjetey Doku, the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Bunkpurugu Sector Command, the team acted promptly on a tip-off indicating suspicious activities along an unapproved route in the Kauk border community.
Led personally by ACI Doku and his Operations Commander, a team of ten GIS officers mobilized swiftly and set up an ambush at the identified location. Their vigilance paid off as they intercepted two unregistered motor king tricycles transporting the contraband cocoa beans under the cover of darkness. Approximately 25 individuals onboard the vehicles were apprehended on the spot in connection with the smuggling attempt.
The intercepted cocoa beans are currently being held at the Bunkpurugu office of the Ghana Immigration Service. Authorities have indicated that the seized goods will be handed over to the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority for further investigations and appropriate legal actions.
The officers who participated in this successful border security operation have been commended for their bravery, discipline, and commitment to protecting Ghana’s economic interests. Their swift response and strategic ambush averted what could have been a substantial financial loss to the country, as cocoa remains one of Ghana’s most valuable export commodities.
List of Officers Involved in the Operation:
- ACI Edwin Adjetey Doku – Officer-in-Charge
- DSI Emmanuel D. Banya
- Inspector Solomon Dogbakye
- Asst. Inspector Zakaria Haruna
- AICO I Philimon Kankamba
- AICO I Siaw Obrimpong
- AICO II Ernest Opuni
- AICO II Ernest Tabiri
- AICO II Rufai Alhassan
- AICO II Thomas Gamur
Smuggling activities along Ghana’s borders, particularly in regions such as Bunkpurugu that share proximity with neighboring countries, have been a growing concern for national security agencies. These illegal operations not only undermine government revenue but also pose serious threats to national security and the livelihoods of legitimate farmers and exporters.
The Ghana Immigration Service continues to reiterate its commitment to safeguarding Ghana’s borders and preventing unauthorized cross-border activities. Officials urge the general public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest security post to aid in combating smuggling and other criminal enterprises.
This incident underscores the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations and the importance of community collaboration with security forces in protecting national resources. The GIS has assured the public that further investigations will be carried out to determine the broader network behind the smuggling attempt and ensure that all culprits are brought to justice.
As border security tightens in response to increasing smuggling attempts, this operation stands as a testament to the GIS’s resolve to maintain the integrity of Ghana’s borders and safeguard the nation’s agricultural and economic assets.