)
GoldBod Taskforce Nabs 3 Indian Nationals for Smuggling Gold
Accra, Ghana - 29 April, 2025 - Ghana's GoldBod security taskforce has apprehended three Indian nationals suspected of gold smuggling. Goutam Katriya, 35, Miraj Sarvaych, 22, and Manash Damani, 42, were arrested at their Kumasi residence, which allegedly served as a gold trading hub.
The suspects, who claim to work for Unique MM, a company purportedly owned by Ghanaian Musah Salifu, were purchasing gold at "black market" rates, according to authorities.
At a press conference in Accra, 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.
Investigations revealed that the trio lacked valid licenses to buy or deal in gold in Ghana. Moreover, they failed to produce residence permits, work permits, or tax payment records for their business operations, which span over a decade.
Alhassan hinted that Musah Salifu might be a front for Goutam Katriya, the alleged actual owner of Unique MM.
The suspects have been remanded into custody for two weeks and are expected to reappear in court on May 12, 2025.
“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.” Alhassan said.
The GoldBod has warned against violating the Ghana Gold Board Act and reiterated its directive for foreigners to exit the gold trading sector by April 30, 2025.
In a related matter, all gold traders have also been instructed to transact in Ghana cedis and adhere to the Bank of Ghana Reference Rate.
A breach of these directive, shall constitute a punishable offense under the GoldBod Act, 2025 (ACT 1140). This was contained in a Press Release issued by the GoldBod dated 23 April, 2025
Source: Lead News Online
