Six Indians Arrested in Major Crackdown on Illegal Gold Trade in Ghana

In a joint operation spearheaded by National Security officials, six Indian nationals have been arrested for engaging in illegal gold trading activities in Ghana.

The arrests were made in two separate locations — three suspects were apprehended in Enyinam, Eastern Region, while the other three were picked up in Adiembra, Ashanti Region.

During the high-stakes raid, authorities confiscated hundreds of gold bars, large sums of cash in Ghana cedis, and multiple money-counting machines.

The operation, led by National Security Coordinator DCOP Abdul Osman, was confirmed by the Ghana GoldBod’s Media Relations Officer, Prince Minkah, during a press briefing on May 14, 2025, at the National Security Secretariat in Accra.

Minkah disclosed that the first batch of suspects was arrested before the April 30 deadline for compliance with new gold trading regulations. As a result, they will face deportation rather than prosecution. However, he emphasized that the second group of suspects, including those caught in the latest operation, will be prosecuted in court and “face the full rigours of the law.”

“This is a warning to every foreigner in Ghana — local gold trading is strictly the reserve of the Ghana GoldBod,” Minkah stressed.

DCOP Abdul Osman further revealed that several Ghanaians were complicit in the illegal activity, with some allowing their identities to be used by the foreign suspects to register companies and evade taxes.

GoldBod reiterated that any foreigner wishing to engage in gold trade in Ghana must apply directly to the institution to buy or off-take gold legally.