25 Arrested in Accra for Illegal Gold Trading and Smuggling

At least 25 persons, including foreign nationals, are in the grips of the law for allegedly engaging in illicit gold trading, smelting and assaying.

The individuals, comprising four Indians and a number of Ghanaians, were arrested in two separate operations conducted by the Ghana Gold Board in collaboration with operatives of the National Security at Dome Pillar 2 and Akweteyman-Achimota.

At a press conference in Accra, the Deputy CEO of the Ghana Gold Board, Richard Nunekpeku Esq., stated that the first incident involved four Indian nationals and a Ghanaian who were arrested while allegedly smelting gold and manufacturing jewellery without a licence at a jewellery shop in Dome-Kwabenya.

Upon their arrest, the first accused and owner of Mahalaxmi Ghana Limited, Bhaskar Jashu, voluntarily opened a safe containing GH¢22,670, 34 pieces of assorted rings and necklaces, 22 pieces of rings, 50 pieces of rings, two pieces of cufflinks, six pieces of lockets, two pieces of earrings, among other items.

The Deputy CEO revealed that three bars suspected to be gold were also retrieved from the safe. An assay confirmed the bars to be gold, with a market value of GH¢453,032.73.

In the second incident, a total of 20 individuals were arrested at the premises of Legend Precious Metal Ltd. located at Akweteyman-Achimota in the Greater Accra Region.

Among those arrested were seven foreign nationals and 13 Ghanaians.

During the operation, the team retrieved eight metal bars suspected to be gold, which had been concealed in various parts of the premises of Legend Precious Metal.

The accused persons, together with the exhibits, were brought to the offices of the Ghana Gold Board for further investigations.

Further searches revealed various legal documents, including purchase and sale agreements relating to gold trading between the accused persons, as well as assaying reports and receipts.

An amount of US$112,500 and GH¢64,014 was also retrieved from various accused persons during the searches.

The team further retrieved sidearms from suspects Clement Agbaglo and Emmanuel McAddy at the time of the arrest.

The Deputy CEO revealed that while some of the arrested persons were granted police inquiry bail, 14 have been arraigned before the court as of November 10.

“The attitude of these individuals is taking a toll on the finances of this country. Thus, GoldBod is keen on having all suspects interrogated and, if found culpable, prosecuted according to the law,” he said.

He reiterated the state agency’s commitment to sanitising the gold trading industry by apprehending individuals engaged in illicit activities while providing licences to persons interested in legitimately trading in the sector.