Richard Jakpa, the Director of Special Operations at the National Security Secretariat, has confirmed that a manhunt is ongoing for the suspected leader of a sophisticated counterfeiting syndicate that was dismantled in Sapeiman, a suburb of Accra, in February.
During an exclusive tour of the crime scene with journalists, Jakpa revealed that the evidence collected from the site is extensive and has been carefully preserved to ensure the integrity of ongoing investigations. The bust, which has sent shockwaves through security circles, resulted in the discovery of ten 40-foot containers packed with counterfeit Ghanaian cedi and US dollar bills.
Authorities believe that two of the containers were hastily removed just before the operation began. In an unexpected twist, several official Bank of Ghana (BoG) money boxes were also found at the scene. After verification, it was confirmed that these boxes were authentic BoG property, raising questions about how they came into the hands of the criminal syndicate.
One of the most startling revelations came from an adjacent, unfinished building that, despite its modest appearance, was the main site of the illicit operation. The front of the building was deceptively operated by an elderly man known locally as the “Battery Doctor,” who ran a vehicle battery-charging service—a calculated diversion to avoid drawing suspicion. Inside, investigators uncovered stacks of counterfeit currency in various denominations, alongside a collection of fake gold bars, many of which were peeling to reveal silver-colored metal underneath.
Jakpa confirmed that the operation was part of a highly organized criminal network. The alleged mastermind, known only as “Alhaji,” remains at large. However, Jakpa reassured the public that National Security operatives are actively tracking his movements.
"We have concrete evidence linking Alhaji to both the crime scene and the broader network of illegal activities," Jakpa stated. "We are confident that it is only a matter of time before he is apprehended."
The dismantling of the counterfeiting ring has raised serious concerns about the security of national financial systems and the potential infiltration of key national symbols by criminal elements. National Security has pledged to bring all those involved to justice and to enhance surveillance efforts to prevent similar operations in the future.
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