The Ghana Gold Board has announced a breakthrough in the fight against illegal gold smuggling.

This follows the arrest of suspects linked to a syndicate accused of trafficking over GH¢120 million worth of gold in just two months.

At a press briefing in Accra on Monday, September 16, 2025, the Chief Executive Officer of the Gold Board, Sammy Gyamfi, revealed that the syndicate operated with the complicity of licensed traders, couriers, and foreign collaborators.

According to him, intelligence received on August 26 led to the arrest of a courier, Abdul Razak, the following day near Winneba Junction.

Razak, a Kenyan national, was found carrying 9.2 kilograms of gold with a net weight of 8.5 kilograms and an estimated value of GH¢10.2 million.

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The consignment had a purity level of 92.5%.

Investigations revealed that Razak had been recruited by his cousin, Abdul Karim, and paid GH¢500 per trip to transport gold purchased from licensed traders in Tarkwa to Accra for onward smuggling through Ghana's borders.

Razak admitted to making several trips in recent months.

The operation also led to the arrest of a licensed trader, Bernard Nkoma of NK Benak Enterprise, who was allegedly selling gold to foreigners in breach of his license terms.

Another suspect, Aremeyaw, was also detained, with all three arraigned before the court on September 5.

Further investigations have identified Rafmol Gold Limited, owned by Rafik Mohammed Nandoli (alias Salam), as the mastermind company behind the smuggling ring.

The company, which is not licensed by the Gold Board, is alleged to have financed the purchase of at least 100 kilograms of gold within two months, valued at more than GH¢120 million.

Key foreign operatives, including an Indian national, Afsa Puthalan, have also been named as central figures in the syndicate.

Sammy Gyamfi stressed that while investigations are ongoing, the arrests highlight both the complexity of gold smuggling networks and the Gold Board's determination to dismantle them.

"This is a very, very serious case. We have been tracking this syndicate for weeks. Thanks to a patriotic citizen and the work of our task force, we have made significant progress in bringing perpetrators to book," he stated.

The CEO assured the public that the Gold Board will continue its crackdown to protect the nation's mineral wealth and hold accountable licensed operators who collude with illegal actors.

SSD

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