The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) is holding a 53-year old man carrying Nigerian passport for attempting to sneak fake CFA 80 million into the country.
Arimu Timothy Adipoe was arrested at one of the beats along the Aflao border on a motorbike through the collaboration of other security agencies.
The amount when converted is worth about GH¢1.5 million on average.
Addressing journalists, the Commissioner in charge of Customs Division, Seidu Iddrisu Iddisah explained that “on Tuesday around 4pm, our officers on duty at the Anapro road, under the Aflao connection stopped an Okada rider with passenger carrying a backpack. They suspected the bag to be containing something and so asked him to bring it down. He was a little hesitant. But the officers were able to search the bag”.
He explained that such fake currencies contribute negatively to the economy and further depreciate the Ghana cedis when exchanged for genuine ones.
“He [suspect] will change the fake CFA into naira, get genuine currency and send it back, and we will be losing foreign exchange and will be circulating fake foreign currency in our system,” the Commissioner stated.
Mr. Seidu Iddrisu said further investigation will establish the motive for importing fake currency into the country.
“Investigation is going on, we have cooperation with other agencies, so if it means contacting the Nigerian customs we will do it,” he indicated.
By Vincent Kubi