Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, has revealed that no arrests have been made in connection with the seizure of 12 containers filled with gold bars, foreign currencies, and other contraband items at Sapeiman.
The Minister made the disclosure during a briefing to Parliament on Wednesday, July 9, 2025—four months after National Security operatives intercepted the containers following an intelligence-led operation.
“Security operatives acting on intelligence report successfully intercepted suspected counterfeit US dollars and fraudulent gold bars stored in a shipping container located at the Sapeiman area,” he told the House.
He added that the National Security Ministry is collaborating with the U.S. Embassy to authenticate the suspected counterfeit currencies, while the Bank of Ghana and the Ghana Gold Board are working to verify the legitimacy of the intercepted gold bars.
Mr. Mubarak confirmed that investigations are still ongoing. “The investigation is ongoing to identify the suspect and their agent and the extent of the operation,” he said.
Broken Scanners at Airport Raise Alarms
In the same briefing, Mr. Mubarak revealed a critical security vulnerability—body and baggage scanners used by the Narcotics Control Commission at the Kotoka International Airport and other key checkpoints have been non-functional for months.
“Baggage scanners are vital tools in the frontline operations of the Narcotics Control Commission, particularly at the airport, where the concealment of narcotic substances has become increasingly sophisticated,” he said.
“Unfortunately, the current state of the broken-down scanner at the key airport and cargo checkpoint significantly hampers effective narcotics detection and undermines national and international security efforts.”
He explained that past attempts to repair the scanners failed due to severe technical faults and the unavailability of key components. A cost-benefit analysis led to a decision to procure new, more advanced scanners under the Security Sector Reform Programme.
Parliament Reacts
Responding to the Minister’s report, Ranking Member on the Defence and Interior Committee, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, described the situation as “unacceptable.”
“Anybody can just walk through and go away with or without substances that are illicit. That makes it very porous, which makes it dangerous,” he said.
Rev. Fordjour questioned the government’s funding priorities, asking why “78 million cedis” earmarked for government communications could not be redirected to secure new scanners critical for border and airport security.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mubarak assured the House that National Security is intensifying surveillance efforts and continuing forensic tests on the seized items in collaboration with international and local agencies.
However, he did not provide a timeline for the delivery of the new scanners.
Until then, Ghana’s most valuable intercepted consignment remains secured but unresolved—while the key suspect and potential collaborators remain at large.
Source: Adomonline.com
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