The Ondo State Government has destroyed adulterated substances recovered from cocoa bean merchants in Ondo West local government area.
The truckload of adulterants was intercepted by a task force team during a routine patrol.
According to Chief Segun Odusanya, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the unscrupulous individuals were mixing dried cocoa placenta with cocoa beans to increase weight, thereby sabotaging the economy.
Chief Odusanya vowed to make the state inhospitable for such operators, whose actions he said, damaged the cocoa trade and tarnished the state’s image internationally.
He called on cocoa merchants to support government’s efforts to curb adulteration.
“We are appealing to the public to provide information on those cocoa merchants who tamper with cocoa beans for us to take swift action.
He however said that the suspect is expected to pay a fine, while the seized adulterants and vehicle have been impounded as a deterrent
“The action is to reaffirm our commitment to discouraging adulteration in the cocoa produce business,” he said.
The Assistant Director of Produce and Area Officer for Ondo West, Mr. Philip Akintorinwa, on his part, explained that the truckload of adulterants included dried cocoa placenta.
Akintorinwa, attributed the adulteration to high demand and price of cocoa in the international market, but said the ministry was committed to eradicating such practices in the state through the task force team.
“If the adulterants mixed with cocoa beans was not detected, the adulterated produce would have gained more weight and would attract a high price due to its weight,” he said.
