Member of agro-chemicals selling syndicate arrested

The Ashanti Regional Police Command has confirmed the arrest of one Kwasi Appoh over an alleged illicit sale of agro-chemicals to cocoa farmers at Sefwi-Wiawso in the Western Region.

The suspect who is believed to be a member of a syndicate dealing in the illegal sale of diverted agro-chemicals procured by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and meant to be supplied free of charge to farmers in the country.

Appoh who was arrested on May 25 and in Police custody would be arraigned.

The accused was arrested at Sefwi-Wiawso, following painstaking investigations by the Special Services Intelligence Unit of COCOBOD, the investigations department of the organisation.

A member of the team, who spoke to Ghana News Agency on condition of anonymity in Kumasi, said members have been inundated with reports of the free agro-chemicals being sold to unsuspecting farmers.

This, he said, consequently, the Intelligence Unit as part of its mandate stepped up its operations to arrest and flush out the miscreants.

He said upon a tip-off, the team proceeded to Sefwi-Wiawso where the suspect sold boxes of Confidor to the investigative team at the cost of GH¢7, 000.00.

The team, he said, having taken delivery of the items then disclosed their identity and subsequently arrested Appoh and handed him over to the Police.

He indicated that a man-hunt has been launched to apprehend the other members of the syndicate who are operating at different locations across the country.

He said this form by part of relentless efforts by Dr Stephen Opuni, Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD, to stem the crime.