NACOC Seizes $1.7 Million in Gold Bars at Paga Border, Hands Over to Ghana Gold Board
The Narcotics Control Commission has handed over 17 confiscated gold bars worth $1.7 million to the Ghana Gold Board. The gold was intercepted at the Paga border and is part of NACOC’s broader efforts to combat illegal resource trafficking.
The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has officially handed over 17 confiscated gold bars, valued at an estimated $1.7 million, to the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) in a symbolic ceremony held at the Ministry of the Interior in Accra.
The gold bars were seized by officers from NACOC’s Upper East Regional Command during a routine operation at the Paga border post. The operation, which formed part of intensified efforts to curb cross-border smuggling and illegal mining-linked activities, was executed with precision and led to the successful recovery of the undeclared gold.
Strengthening Inter-Agency Collaboration
Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Acting Director-General of NACOC, Mr. Kenneth Adu-Amanfoh, commended the vigilance of the officers involved in the interception. He emphasized that the confiscation demonstrates NACOC’s expanded mandate beyond narcotics, which includes tackling illicit financial flows and transnational organized crime.
“This handover is a testament to our commitment to upholding national security and ensuring that Ghana’s natural resources are protected from unlawful exploitation,” Mr. Adu-Amanfoh stated.
He further stressed the importance of collaboration among state institutions in combating illegal activities tied to the country’s mining sector.
Ghana Gold Board Grateful
Receiving the gold bars on behalf of GoldBod, the Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Joshua Mortoti, expressed appreciation to NACOC for its proactive role in preventing the smuggling of gold out of Ghana.
“This gold represents not only financial value but the economic integrity of the country. By stopping its illegal export, NACOC has helped preserve national wealth and protected Ghana’s image in the global gold market,” Dr. Mortoti remarked.
He assured the public that the gold would be properly documented and integrated into the country’s official reserves in line with the Gold for Development initiative.
National Security and Resource Protection
Representatives from the Ministry of the Interior and other key stakeholders were present to witness the handover. Deputy Minister of the Interior, Hon. Naana Biney, applauded NACOC’s vigilance and reiterated government’s commitment to equipping border security agencies with the tools and intelligence needed to stem smuggling and criminal networks.
She noted that illegal gold trafficking poses a serious threat to national development, environmental sustainability, and foreign exchange earnings.
Broader Context
Ghana, the second-largest gold producer in Africa, continues to grapple with issues of illegal mining and gold smuggling, which result in significant revenue losses to the state. The collaboration between NACOC and GoldBod is seen as a strategic effort to close these loopholes and reinforce legal trade in the country’s precious minerals.
This development also highlights a growing trend in inter-agency cooperation aimed at safeguarding Ghana’s natural resources and financial systems from exploitation by criminal entities.
Source :
Myjoyonline
