Sixteen Ghanaians and foreign nationals have been arrested in a crackdown by the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) on suspected counterfeit currency syndicates operating in the Greater Accra Region and surrounding areas.
The arrests followed six intelligence-led operations conducted between June 12 and July 24, 2026, targeting groups allegedly engaged in the production, possession and distribution of counterfeit Ghanaian and foreign currencies.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 22, the NSCS said the operations resulted in the seizure of four currency-printing machines, six vehicles and two motorcycles allegedly linked to the activities of the syndicates.
Security operatives also recovered counterfeit currencies amounting to US$543,000, GH¢196,600 and CFA60,000 that were allegedly ready for circulation.
In addition, counterfeit currency coupons reportedly awaiting processing and printing were seized. They included US$5.29 million, GH¢19.55 million and CFA623.55 million.
The NSCS said the operations were conducted following months of covert intelligence gathering into reports of counterfeit currency being introduced into commercial centres, foreign exchange markets and financial networks.
According to the security agency, the suspected criminal groups operated through organised networks involving technical printing specialists, cross-border facilitators and commercial dispatch riders who allegedly transported counterfeit currencies to buyers.
In one operation targeting a suspected transnational criminal network, seven people comprising three Ghanaians and four foreign nationals were arrested. Three vehicles and counterfeit notes worth US$65,900 were also recovered.
At Amuzu, near Kasoa, operatives arrested another suspect and seized a currency-printing machine, counterfeit gold bars, mobile phones and quantities of suspected fake currency.
Five suspects were also arrested during an operation in Lashibi and Klagon, where investigators reportedly uncovered printing equipment and a storage facility containing large quantities of counterfeit currency materials.
Another operation at Lakeside Estate led to the arrest of a suspected distributor and the seizure of five boxes containing counterfeit GH¢200 notes with an estimated face value of GH¢12.42 million. Two motorcycles were also confiscated.
The NSCS further disclosed that some of the suspected syndicates allegedly used religious and administrative premises as fronts for printing and storing counterfeit currency.
It said all 16 suspects had been remanded into state custody, while case dockets had been forwarded to the Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice.
Prosecution proceedings are currently before the Accra High Court, with security agencies continuing efforts to apprehend other suspects identified during the investigations.
The NSCS added that processes had begun to seek the forfeiture of vehicles, printing equipment and mobile devices allegedly used in the operations.
The agency urged financial institutions, property owners and administrators of religious facilities to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious large-scale printing activities and unusual foreign-currency transactions to the appropriate security authorities.
