In a major breakthrough against gold smuggling, the GoldBod Security Taskforce has arrested three Indian nationals involved in unauthorized gold trading operations in Ghana.
Who Are the Suspects?
The arrested individuals—Goutam Katriya (35), Miraj Sarvaych (22), and Manash Damani (42) were operating under a company called Unique MM, reportedly owned by a Ghanaian named Musah Salifu. However, investigations suggest Salifu was merely a front, and the real owner is Goutam Katriya.
Where and How They Were Caught
Acting on a credible tip-off from a whistleblower, the taskforce raided a private residence near Atinga Junction in Kumasi. The property had allegedly been turned into an illegal gold trading center where the suspects were buying gold at black market prices, likely for smuggling purposes.
Court Proceedings and Evidence Found
The suspects were brought before the Achimota Circuit Court on Monday, April 28, 2025, and were remanded into custody for two weeks pending further investigations.
During the arrest, security personnel recovered:
• GH¢1.9 million in cash
• 4,500 Indian rupees
• 4.363 kilograms of gold
• Two cash-counting machines
• A CCTV recorder
• An Indian passport
Legal Infractions and Immigration Violations
According to Chief Superintendent Osman Alhassan, Director of Investigations at National Security, none of the suspects had a legal licence to buy or trade gold in Ghana. Furthermore, they failed to provide valid residence permits, work permits, or tax records despite operating in the Ghanaian gold industry for over 10 years.
National Security Response and Future Crackdowns
Chief Superintendent Alhassan emphasized that this arrest marks the beginning of a more aggressive campaign by GoldBod to dismantle illegal gold trading networks.
“These suspects were smuggling gold through unapproved border points into India—this severely undermines Ghana’s economy,” he stated. “We are tracking more illegal operators and will act decisively.”
Next Steps and Regulatory Deadlines
The suspects will remain in the custody of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) until their next court appearance on May 12, 2025.
Meanwhile, GoldBod has issued strong directives:
• All foreign nationals involved in gold trading must exit the sector by April 30, 2025.
• All gold transactions must be done in Ghana cedis at the Bank of Ghana Reference Rate.
Violators of these rules will face prosecution under the GoldBod Act, 2025 (Act 1140), as confirmed in a statement released on April 23, 2025.
