Ondo State Government, in a decisive move to safeguard the integrity of its cocoa industry, has destroyed a substantial quantity of adulterated cocoa materials seized from a merchant at Lipakala Junction in Ondo West Local Government Area.
The operation, led by the state’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, highlights an ongoing crackdown on fraudulent practices within the cocoa trade.
According to Chief Segun Odusanya, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, the adulterants—comprising mainly dried cocoa placenta—were discovered during a routine inspection by the ministry’s task force.
The aim of mixing these non-bean materials with actual cocoa beans, he explained, was to fraudulently increase the product’s weight, thereby gaining undue financial advantage.
Odusanya condemned the act, describing it as not only deceitful but deeply harmful to the economy and reputation of the state. He stressed that such malpractice compromises the quality of Ondo’s cocoa in the international market, potentially affecting demand and pricing for genuine produce.
“These acts are economic sabotage,” he declared, adding that the government will continue to take tough measures to rid the cocoa sector of dishonest actors.
To reinforce accountability, the ministry has impounded the vehicle used in the illegal activity and imposed a fine on the suspect, who is expected to face further penalties.
Odusanya urged members of the public, especially those involved in cocoa trading, to support government efforts by reporting individuals who engage in such unethical practices. “We are calling on well-meaning citizens to help us identify offenders so that prompt and corrective actions can be taken,” he said.
Mr. Philip Akintorinwa, the Assistant Director of Produce and the Area Officer for Ondo West, also weighed in on the matter. He pointed out that the high international demand and soaring prices of cocoa have encouraged some merchants to resort to fraudulent methods to maximize profit.
“If not intercepted, the contaminated beans would have fetched a higher price due to the added weight, deceiving buyers and undermining trust in our exports,” he explained.
Akintorinwa reiterated the ministry’s dedication to combating such practices through continuous monitoring and enforcement. He affirmed that the task force will remain vigilant and proactive to ensure that only quality cocoa leaves the state for both local and international markets.
This recent development serves as a stern warning to other merchants who may be contemplating similar actions. The state government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, has vowed to make Ondo an unwelcome environment for anyone involved in compromising the standards of its agricultural produce.
The destruction of the adulterated materials is a symbolic and practical step towards preserving the integrity and global reputation of Ondo’s cocoa industry.