The National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) has dismantled four suspected counterfeit currency printing hubs and arrested 16 people in a major crackdown on alleged fake-money syndicates operating across the Greater Accra Region and surrounding districts.
The arrests followed six intelligence-led operations conducted between June 12 and July 24, 2026, after months of covert surveillance into networks suspected of producing, possessing and distributing counterfeit Ghanaian and foreign currencies.
According to the NSCS, the operations uncovered what investigators believe were organised networks involving printing specialists, cross-border facilitators and commercial dispatch riders allegedly used to transport counterfeit currencies to buyers.
Millions in Counterfeit Currency Seized
Security operatives seized four suspected counterfeit currency printing machines, six vehicles and two motorcycles allegedly connected to the operations.
The NSCS said officers also recovered finished counterfeit notes amounting to US$543,000, GH¢196,600 and CFA60,000.
Significantly larger amounts of unprocessed currency coupons allegedly awaiting further printing were also discovered.
These included US$5.29 million, GH¢19.55 million and CFA623.55 million, highlighting the scale of the alleged counterfeiting operations.
The seizures come as authorities continue efforts to protect the integrity of Ghana’s currency and financial system. The Bank of Ghana has separately stressed the importance of preserving the integrity of the national currency and indicated that law-enforcement agencies are expected to act against violations.
Transnational Network Targeted
In one of the operations, security operatives targeted a suspected transnational criminal network, leading to the arrest of seven people.
The suspects comprised three Ghanaians and four foreign nationals.
Three unregistered vehicles were seized during the operation, together with US$65,900 in suspected counterfeit notes.
According to the NSCS, intelligence gathered during the operations pointed to a structured system in which different individuals allegedly performed specific roles in the production and movement of counterfeit money.
Technical operators were allegedly responsible for printing the currencies, while other members facilitated cross-border activities and distribution.
Commercial dispatch riders were also allegedly deployed to move the counterfeit notes to prospective buyers, according to the Secretariat.
Crackdown on Counterfeit Currency Networks
The series of operations forms part of broader efforts by security agencies to disrupt organised criminal networks and protect Ghana’s financial system from counterfeit currency.
Counterfeit currency operations have previously attracted the attention of Ghanaian law-enforcement agencies. The Office of the Special Prosecutor, for example, reported disrupting a separate counterfeit foreign-currency manufacturing network in an earlier operation involving warehouses in Accra and Tema.
The 16 suspects arrested in the latest NSCS operations are expected to face further investigations as authorities work to establish the full extent of the alleged networks and identify other individuals who may be connected to their activities.
