ACCRA (Kaab TV) – Authorities in Ghana have arrested three Indian nationals accused of running a long-standing gold smuggling operation that may have illegally moved tons of gold out of the country over the past decade, according to the national gold trading regulator, GoldBod.
The suspects, aged 22, 35, and 42, were apprehended at a residence in the southern city of Kumasi, which investigators say had been transformed into an illicit gold trading hub.
They pleaded guilty during their initial court appearance and will remain in custody until their next hearing on May 12, GoldBod said.
The regulator revealed that the individuals were found with 4.363 kilograms of gold, 1.9 million Ghanaian cedis (approx. $134,000), 4,500 Indian rupees (around $53), two cash counting machines, a CCTV recorder, and an Indian passport.
The suspects reportedly failed to provide valid residence permits, work authorizations, or tax records connected to their operations.
To curb rampant smuggling, Ghana established GoldBod in March to oversee gold purchases from small-scale miners and ensure foreign buyers acquire gold exclusively through the new agency.
GoldBod aims to boost miners’ earnings and stem the annual loss of billions of dollars in gold through illegal exports.
“Much of the smuggled gold ends up in India, China, and the United Arab Emirates — and we lose,” said GoldBod spokesperson Prince Kwame Minkah.