The National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), in collaboration with other security and intelligence agencies, has busted organised criminal syndicates allegedly involved in the large-scale production and distribution of counterfeit Ghanaian and foreign currencies.
Six coordinated intelligence-led operations conducted between June 12 and July 24, 2026 resulted in the arrest of 16 principal suspects, including Ghanaian and foreign nationals, and the dismantling of four counterfeit currency printing hubs in the Greater Accra Region and surrounding districts.
The operations also led to the seizure of four currency printing machines, six vehicles and two motorcycles allegedly used by the syndicates to transport and distribute the counterfeit notes.
In a statement issued by the NSCSwhich has been sighted by The Chronicle , the security agencies said they recovered counterfeit currencies amounting to US$543,000, GH¢196,600 and CFA60,000 in ready-to-spend notes.
In addition, the agencies recovered what they described as coupons yet to be processed and printed, comprising US$5.293 million, GH¢19.553 million and CFA623.55 million.
The Secretariat said the operations followed months of covert intelligence gathering and mapping of suspected counterfeit currency networks, after reports of fake notes infiltrating commercial centres, foreign exchange markets and financial networks.
The intelligence-led operations targeted what the NSCS described as high-level organised transnational and domestic criminal syndicates operating across the Greater Accra Region and adjoining areas.
According to the statement, tactical units subsequently carried out six coordinated raids on the syndicates’ primary operational hubs.
The 16 suspects, together with the seized physical and digital exhibits, have been transferred to the Bureau of National Intelligence (BNI) for forensic examination and further investigations.
The security agencies have also completed and submitted case dockets to the Office of the Attorney-General for consideration of prosecution, the statement said.
The NSCS said the operations formed part of efforts to disrupt organised criminal networks involved in currency counterfeiting and protect the integrity of Ghana’s financial system.
The statement did not disclose the identities of the suspects or provide details of the specific locations of the printing hubs.
It also did not indicate whether any of the counterfeit currency had successfully entered circulation or identify financial institutions or businesses that may have been affected.
Further details are expected to emerge as forensic examination of the seized exhibits and investigations into the suspects continue.
Editor’s note: I deliberately used “allegedly” for the criminal activity because the suspects have not been convicted. I also kept the “coupons yet to be processed and printed” distinction clear; converting that figure into “counterfeit currency seized” would materially overstate the operation.
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