National Security Intercepts Dollars, Gold Bars
National Security operatives have intercepted an unspecified amount of U.S. dollars and Ghana cedi notes concealed in twelve 20-foot shipping containers.
Acting on a tip-off, the security operatives traced the containers to a warehouse in Sapeiman, located in the Ga South Municipality of the Greater Accra Region.
The dollars, hidden in wooden boxes filled with cement, were uncovered during a sting operation.
Additional boxes opened in the warehouse revealed more cash concealed in compartments barricaded with plywood and sealed with charcoal.
National Security operatives disclosed that two containers remained unaccounted for, but efforts were underway to locate them.
According to National Security, while suspects linked to the crime syndicate are currently on the run, a manhunt is underway for four individuals, including the suspected ringleader, known only as Alhaji.
The warehouse search revealed even more shocking findings, including boxes of metal believed to be gold bars, counterfeit Ghana cedi notes in GH¢50 and GH¢100 denominations, and fake Ghana Army uniforms and boots.
Previous Seizure
A similar incident occurred when National Security busted a 13-member gang involved in the printing and distribution of counterfeit currency notes to unsuspecting victims, mostly foreign nationals.
The gang, led by Yassei Alia, a 45-year-old Syrian resident of East Legon and owner of Hardford Auto Service in Accra, along with Danjuma Zakaria, alias Alhaji Mohammed, a 49-year-old resident of Tema West, was apprehended in a warehouse within the premises of NacCharter Cargo and Freight Company, near KLM offices at Kotoka International Airport, on Monday, April 27, 2024 at around 17:30 hours.
Freshly printed $10,000 bundles of fake $100 notes, concealed in two large metal trunks and a suitcase, were retrieved from the warehouse. The total amount of counterfeit money seized was estimated to be over five million U.S. dollars (USD).
Other suspected accomplices arrested during the operation included Esther Omozeea, Emad Aldalhi, Kamal Mohammed, Abdulai Yakubu Osman, and Samuel Ababio.
The remaining suspects were John Denyo, Desmond Delali Dumenu, Alike Happiness, Prosper Chukwu, Victor Israel, and Padi Christian Holdbrook.
In their caution statements, Yassei and Mohammed, who drove to the warehouse in Yassei’s car, denied knowledge of the operation.
National Security has assured Ghanaians that the government is determined to eliminate counterfeit currency syndicates, and warned that individuals involved in such illegal activities will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.