Sixteen people have been arrested in Greater Accra following a series of intelligence-led operations targeting organised syndicates allegedly involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit currencies.
The suspects, made up of Ghanaian and foreign nationals, were arrested during six operations conducted between June 12 and July 24, 2026.
According to the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), the operations led to the seizure of four counterfeit-currency printing machines, six vehicles and two motorcycles allegedly linked to the activities of the suspects.
Security agencies also recovered counterfeit notes valued at $543,000, GH¢196,600 and CFA60,000, which were allegedly ready to be circulated.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, the NSCS said investigators also found counterfeit currency materials awaiting processing and printing. These included $5.29 million, GH¢19.55 million and CFA623.55 million in fake currency.
The operations followed months of covert intelligence gathering into reports that counterfeit money was being introduced into commercial centres, foreign exchange markets and financial networks.
The NSCS said the investigations uncovered structured networks involving technical printing operators, cross-border facilitators and commercial dispatch riders who allegedly transported counterfeit currency to prospective buyers.
In one operation targeting a transnational criminal group, seven suspects, comprising three Ghanaians and four foreign nationals, were arrested. Three vehicles and $65,900 in counterfeit notes were also seized.
At Amuzu, a suburb of Kasoa, security operatives arrested another suspect and recovered a currency printing machine, fake gold bars, mobile phones and quantities of counterfeit notes.
Five more suspects were arrested during an operation in Lashibi and Klagon, where investigators reportedly uncovered printing equipment and a storage facility containing materials used in the production of counterfeit currency.
Another operation at Lakeside Estate resulted in the arrest of a suspected distributor. Security operatives seized five boxes containing counterfeit GH¢200 notes with an estimated face value of GH¢12.42 million. Two motorcycles were also confiscated.
The NSCS said some of the syndicates allegedly used religious and administrative premises as cover for printing and storing counterfeit currency.
All 16 suspects have been remanded into state custody, while case dockets have been submitted to the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice.
The agency said prosecution proceedings are ongoing at the Accra High Court, with security agencies continuing efforts to locate other suspects identified during the investigations.
Processes have also begun to seek the forfeiture of vehicles, printing equipment and mobile devices allegedly used in the operations.
The NSCS has urged financial institutions, property owners and administrators of religious facilities to remain vigilant and report suspicious high-volume printing activities or unusual foreign-currency transactions to the appropriate security agencies.
