2 Ghanaian Police Officers Arrested Over Stolen Fertilizer

Two police constables, Osei Tutu, 31 and Kyei Amoah, 27 are in the grips of the Sunyani police for helping one Job Asamoah an agro chemical dealer to divert free cocoa fertilizes meant for cocoa farmers in the Asunafo South District of the Brong Ahafo Region.

The two, from the visibility department of the Ghana Police Service Kumasi, were escorting Leyland Daf truck with registration number GT 7650 A loaded with 390 bags of N.P.K fertilizer heading for Kumasi. The truck was intercepted at Acherensua police post upon a tip off; the Brong Ahafo regional police commander DCOP Maxwell Sakipasgo Atingane disclosed.

The truck of fertilizers being off-loaded

The driver of the vehicle, 27 years old Banahene Yaw, told the police that the goods belong to Job Asamoah, an elder of  Pentecost  Church who is an agro chemical dealer and has a shop at Kenyasi known as Agro and Sons Chemical Shop. Job Asamoah is, however, on the run according to the police.

Briefing newsmen at the Brong Ahafo regional police headquarters, DCOP Atingane said the vehicle and its occupants were intercepted on Sunday July 19 at about 10pm at Acherensua police post through a collaborative effort between officials of the Ghana Cocoa Board and the Brong Ahafo police.

He said the driver and the two policemen will be sent to court today whilst efforts are continued to trace the whereabouts of the owner of the consignment.

According to him because agro issues, especially cocoa, are dear to the government his outfit is leaving no stone unturned and has therefore dispatched a team of investigators to Sankore to make a thorough investigation. The case itself was transferred to the regional police command.

In an interview with the DAILY GUIDE, an undercover intelligence officer with the Cocoa Board who will not disclose his identity said this is not the first time smugglers have been arrested through a mechanism put in place by the chief executive officer of the Cocoa Board.

According to him five others were arrested with 770 bags of the same N.P.K 20.20.20 at Berekum a fortnight ago and are standing trial at Berekum Circuit Court.

He said there is an efficient intelligent system in place that will nip in the bud all those who would want to thwart the effort of the government. He warned collaborators to desist from that or risk being caught.

It is estimated that the 390 bags would cover 130 acres of land and its street value is GH¢50,000.

From Daniel Y. Dayee

Culled : Daily Guide Ghana