BY GBENGA ARIYIBI
ADO EKITI — Produce officers manning control post at Eporo-Ekiti near Ekiti and Ondo states boundary have impounded three tons of cocoa from some merchants attempting to smuggle the cash crop out of the state.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. Babajide Arowosafe, who made this known, weekend, frowned at the incessant cases of smuggling of farm produce out of the state.

Arowosafe advised produce traders to be mindful of government’s regulations and laws guiding the conduct of their trade, stressing that anyone caught contravening the law would be prosecuted and made to face the full wrath of the law.

He urged farm produce traders to properly register their businesses, pay their taxes and ensure that their produce are duly graded before conveying them out of the state.

Also, the Director of Produce in the State Ministry of Agric, Mr. Michael Makinde who made an on the spot visit to assess the situation, observed that there had been several reported cases of smuggling in the area.

The Investigating Police Officers (IPO), Mr. Mathew Ogunsoro who confirmed the arrest of the smugglers said that police action followed reports that the suspects attacked the produce officers with dangerous weapons including iron rods.

He assured that the case would be thoroughly investigated and the suspects prosecuted if found culpable.