25 apprehended for illicit gold trading, smuggling, and assaying
The Ghana Gold Board (GGB), in collaboration with the National Security Task Force, has arrested 25 individuals for their alleged involvement in illegal gold trading, fabrication, and smuggling activities across parts of Accra. The arrests come after weeks of intelligence-led operations aimed at sanitizing the gold value chain and protecting the nation’s natural resources.
According to the Ghana Gold Board, the suspects comprising both foreign nationals and Ghanaians, were apprehended in two separate operations at Dome and Achimota in Accra. The coordinated enforcement exercise forms part of a broader crackdown on unauthorized gold activities and efforts to strengthen accountability in Ghana’s gold industry.
First Operation: Illegal Gold Fabrication at Dome
In the first case, five suspects, including four Indian nationals and one Ghanaian, were arrested at Dome Pillar 2 for allegedly fabricating and trading gold without the necessary licenses.
The suspects identified as Bhaskar Jashu, Manog Mal, Susajit Senti, Sardar Prennath, and Victoria Minkah were operating under the company name Mahalaxmi Ghana Limited. Law enforcement officials retrieved several items, including 26 pieces of GRA moissante emerald stones, 19 rings suspected to be gold, and six pieces of 10-karat yellowish metals.
Further searches revealed a locked safe containing ₵22,670 in cash, three gold bars, and assorted jewellery items such as rings, cufflinks, chains, and lockets. An official assay report later confirmed the gold bars to be authentic, with a total market value of ₵453,032.73. Investigations are ongoing to examine the company’s financial activities and other possible accomplices.
Second Operation: Illegal Gold Smuggling at Achimota
In a related development, a second operation at Legend Precious Metals in Achimota-Akweteman led to the arrest of 20 suspects involved in unlicensed gold trading, smuggling, and assaying.
Authorities recovered eight gold bars, $112,500 in cash, and ₵64,014, along with several documents including sales agreements, assay reports, and receipts. Some suspects were also found in possession of unlicensed firearms.
The suspects include Ghanaian and foreign nationals from countries such as Belarus, the United Kingdom, the United States, Argentina, Sweden, and Russia.
Key individuals arrested include Gabriel Sewornu, CEO of Legend Precious Metals; Lucia Al Yaziji, a former Belarusian diplomat; Duncan Finlay Macinnes, a British investment banker; Erik Manuel Belloran, an American ex-serviceman; and Demian Perrone, an Argentine national.
Investigations revealed that Legend Precious Metals operated without a valid license from the Ghana Gold Board and had been smelting and assaying gold for export through neighbouring countries, particularly Togo.
GGB Reaffirms Commitment to Transparency
In a statement, the Ghana Gold Board reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing transparency, compliance, and due process in the gold sector. It warned that gold smuggling not only undermines the integrity of Ghana’s reserves but also deprives the nation of much-needed revenue.
The Board urged the public to verify the legitimacy of gold trading companies through its official website, www.goldbod.gov.gh, and advised all stakeholders licensed buyers, exporters, and dealers to transact strictly through authorized channels.
“The Ghana Gold Board remains resolute in its mission to safeguard Ghana’s gold wealth for the collective benefit of all citizens,” the statement concluded.
