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The Director of Special Operations at the National Security Secretariat, Richard Jakpa, has revealed that a search is ongoing for the suspected leader of a major counterfeiting ring that was uncovered in Sapeiman, a suburb of Accra, in February.
Speaking during an exclusive tour of the crime scene with members of the press, Mr. Jakpa described the discovery as one of the most significant in recent times. He stated that all evidence at the site has been carefully preserved in its original state to ensure the integrity of the ongoing investigations.
The operation shocked many within the security community after authorities uncovered ten 40-foot containers packed with counterfeit Ghana cedi and US dollar notes. Security operatives believe that two additional containers were moved shortly before the raid began, indicating the suspects were alerted ahead of time.
Adding to the mystery, the team also discovered several official money boxes belonging to the Bank of Ghana (BoG). These were not replicas, but authentic BoG property, raising serious concerns about how they ended up in the hands of the counterfeiters.
One of the most surprising elements of the discovery was a nearby unfinished building that served as the main base of the criminal operation. The building appeared ordinary from the outside, with an elderly man—nicknamed the “Battery Doctor”—operating a car battery-charging business at the entrance, clearly meant to deflect suspicion.
Inside the building, investigators found stacks of counterfeit currency in various denominations and currencies. They also discovered numerous fake gold bars, many of which were visibly peeling to reveal a silvery metal beneath.
Mr. Jakpa confirmed that the counterfeit operation was not the work of amateurs but a highly coordinated criminal syndicate. He named the suspected ringleader only as “Alhaji,” who is still at large but actively being pursued.
“We have solid evidence connecting Alhaji to the crime scene and to the broader network of illegal activities,” Mr. Jakpa told journalists. “We are confident that it is only a matter of time before he is apprehended.”
The bust has raised fresh concerns about financial security in Ghana and the extent to which national assets and symbols may be compromised by criminal networks. In response, the National Security Secretariat has pledged to bring all involved to justice and to enhance surveillance systems to prevent such incidents in the future.
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