The Achimota Circuit Court on Monday, April 28, remanded three suspected gold smugglers into the custody of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) for two weeks, following their arrest by the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) security taskforce.
The suspects, identified as Goutam Katriya, 35, Miraj Sarvaych, 22, and Manash Damani, 42, are Indian nationals engaged in gold trading activities in Kumasi and Accra on behalf of Unique MM, a company allegedly owned by one Musah Salifu.
They were arrested at a private residence near Atinga Junction in Kumasi, which had reportedly been converted into a gold trading hub.
The arrest followed a tip-off from a patriotic whistleblower who reported that the suspects were buying gold at “black market” rates for smuggling purposes.
At a press conference in Accra, the Director of Investigations at National Security, Chief Superintendent Osman Alhassan, disclosed that GH₵1.9 million, 4,500 Indian rupees, 4.363 kilograms of gold, two counting machines, a CCTV recorder, and an Indian passport were found in their possession.
Preliminary investigations by National Security revealed that none of the suspects possesses a valid license to buy or trade gold in Ghana.
The suspects, who have reportedly operated in the country for over a decade, were also unable to provide residence permits, work permits, or tax payment records related to their business activities.
Further investigations indicate that Musah Salifu, the Ghanaian listed as the sole shareholder of Unique MM, is merely a front for Goutam Katriya, who is the real beneficial owner and alter ego of the company.
Source: Richard Nana Appiah Kubi/Ahotoronline.com
