The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service, has declared four individuals wanted for their alleged roles in a gold smuggling syndicate that has shaken the country’s minerals trade.
The suspects — Muhammed Nandoli Rafeeq, Muhammed Afsal Puthalan, Abdul Karim, and Sadique Abubakari — are accused of engaging in illegal gold transactions and facilitating the smuggling of more than 100 kilograms of gold, valued at over GH¢120 million, between June and August 2025.
Authorities say one of the biggest interceptions linked to the group involved 8.5 kilograms of gold with a purity of 92.5%, seized at Winneba Junction. The consignment, valued at over GH¢10 million, exposed a wider network of couriers, traders, and unlicensed operators connected to the syndicate.
In a bold move to encourage public support, GoldBod has announced a GH¢1 million bounty for each fugitive, urging citizens to provide information that will lead to their arrest.
Already, three suspects connected to the case have been arrested, while licenses of implicated companies have been suspended. Notably, NK Benak, a licensed gold buyer, has had its operations halted, while Rafmoh Jewellery at Osu and the Palace Mall branch have been shut down as part of ongoing investigations.
The wanted individuals are believed to be hiding within Ghana and abroad. Intelligence suggests some of the Ghanaian suspects may be in areas such as Ashaiman, Amrahia, or Tamale, while their foreign associates could have fled to Dubai, Togo, or Côte d’Ivoire.
The Ghana Gold Board has described this as the most elaborate smuggling network uncovered since its inception and is calling on the public to remain vigilant.
Anyone with credible information is urged to call 0800 444 653 or 0800 444 654.
