The suspects were arrested at their private residence around Atinga Junction in Kumasi
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, has announced that three suspected gold smugglers have been arrested by the security taskforce.
According to him, the suspects, Goutam Katriya, Miraj Sarvaych, and Manash Damani were tracked down at their residence near Atinga Junction in Kumasi.
In a post sighted by GhanaWeb Business, the suspects, who are Indian nationals, are involved in gold trading in Kumasi and Accra for Unique MM, a company allegedly owned by one Musah Salifu.
These suspects have been accused of purchasing gold at black market rates for the purpose of smuggling.
The suspects were arraigned before the Achimota Circuit Court on Monday, April 28, 2025, and remanded into custody for two weeks.
At a press conference in Accra, the Director of Investigations at National Security, Chief Superintendent Osman Alhassan, disclosed that an amount of GH¢1.9 million, 4,500 rupees, 4.363 kilograms of gold, two counting machines, a CCTV recorder, and an Indian passport were found in the possession of the suspects.
Preliminary investigations by National Security have so far revealed that none of the three suspects possess a valid license allowing them to purchase or deal in gold in the country.
Although the suspects have been dealing in gold in Ghana for over a decade, they have not provided any residence permit, work permit, or tax payment records related to their business operations.
Additionally, investigations have revealed that Musah Salifu, a Ghanaian allegedly listed as the sole shareholder of Unique MM, is merely a front for Goutam Katriya, the actual beneficial owner and alter ego of the company.
Chief Superintendent Osman Alhassan cautioned both Ghanaians and foreign nationals against violating the provisions of the Ghana Gold Board Act and other laws governing the gold trading sector in the country.
“This arrest is only the beginning of GoldBod’s ruthless war against illegal gold trading and gold smuggling. We know that the arrested suspects smuggle gold through unapproved border points into India. This has serious negative consequences for the Ghanaian economy. We are still gathering intelligence on several illegal gold traders and smugglers. Very soon, we shall take necessary action,” he said.
The suspects will remain in NIB custody until May 12, 2025, when they are expected to reappear before the court.
GoldBod has reiterated its directive for all foreigners in the gold trading sector to exit the market by April 30, 2025.
All persons dealing in gold have also been directed to trade in Ghanaian cedis and at the Bank of Ghana Reference Rate.
A breach of these directives shall constitute a punishable offense under the GoldBod Act, 2025 (ACT 1140). This directive was contained in a press release issued by GoldBod on April 23, 2025.
*THREE SUSPECTED GOLD SMUGGLERS ARRESTED BY GOLDBOD SECURITY TASKFORCE, REMANDED INTO CUSTODY BY CIRCUIT COURT*
29th April, 2025
Three (3) suspected gold smugglers have been arrested by the GoldBod security taskforce. pic.twitter.com/VQWq60c2zr
— Ghana GOLDBOD (@GhanaGOLDBOD) April 29, 2025
SA/MA
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