Gold, Cash, and Counting Machines Seized in Illegal Gold Trading Bust; Six Indians Arrested

A National Security operation has resulted in the arrest of six Indian nationals for engaging in illegal gold trading activities in Ghana. The operation, spearheaded by National Security Coordinator DCOP Abdul Osman, led to arrests in two regions: three individuals were apprehended in Enyinam in the Eastern Region, while the other three were arrested in Adiembra in the Ashanti Region.

During the coordinated operation, authorities seized a substantial amount of evidence, including thousands of cedis, hundreds of gold bars, and sophisticated money counting machines, indicating the scale of the illegal trading activities.

Addressing the media on May 14, 2025, at the National Security Secretariat in Accra, Prince Minkah, the Media Relations Officer of the Ghana GoldBod (Gold Board), emphasized that those arrested would face the full consequences of the law. He clarified the differing legal paths for those arrested before and after the April 30th deadline previously issued. The first group of foreigners arrested prior to the deadline will undergo the legal process of deportation.

However, Minkah stated unequivocally that the individuals apprehended in this latest operation, conducted after the deadline, will be prosecuted in court, highlighting the government’s commitment to enforcing regulations and deterring illegal gold trading. He emphasized the confiscation of gold, money counting machines, and cedis from the suspects as evidence of their illicit activities.

“For the second batch, they will go to court and face the law. This is a warning to every foreigner in Ghana, local gold trading is the sole reserve of the GoldBod,” Minkah stated.

DCOP Abdul Osman, the National Security Coordinator, further revealed that the investigation uncovered the involvement of some Ghanaian nationals who aided the foreign operators. These Ghanaians allegedly provided their identities to register companies, enabling the foreigners to “evade taxes and hide their faces,” thus facilitating their illegal gold trading activities.

GoldBod representatives emphasized that any foreigner or individual wishing to continue in the gold trading business in Ghana must apply to the Ghana GoldBod to purchase or off-take gold directly from the GoldBod, reinforcing the agency’s exclusive authority over local gold trading activities. The government is therefore seeking to limit illegal activities in the gold sector by foreigners.