Three (3) suspected gold smugglers have been arrested by the GoldBod security taskforce.
The suspects, who are also Indian nationals, have been identified as Goutam Katriya, 35; Miraj Sarvaych, 22; and Manash Damani, 42.
Authorities say the suspects are in the business of trading gold in Kumasi and Accra for Unique MM, a company allegedly owned by one Musah Salifu.
The suspects were arrested at their private residence around Atinga Junction in Kumasi, which has been converted into a gold trading centre.
The arrest was based on a tip-off from a patriotic whistleblower that the suspects were purchasing gold at “black market” rates for the purpose of smuggling.
The suspects were arraigned before the Achimota Circuit Court yesterday and remanded into custody for a period of two (2) weeks.
Addressing a press conference to update the Ghanaian public on the matter, the Director of Investigations at National Security, Chief Superintendent Osman Alhassan, disclosed that an amount of 1.9 million cedis, 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 so far revealed that none of the three suspects possess a valid licence that allows them to purchase or deal in gold in the country.
The suspects, who have been dealing in gold in Ghana for over a decade, have not been able to adduce any residence permit, work permit or tax payment records for their business operations.
Additionally, it’s been revealed that Musah Salifu, a Ghanaian who is alleged to be the sole shareholder of Unique MM, is only a front for Goutam Katriya, the real 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 of 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. And very soon, we shall take necessary action,” he said.
The suspects are to remain in NIB custody until May 12, 2025, when they are expected to reappear before the court.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
