The GoldBod and National Security has apprehended a number of foreign nationals attempting to smuggle kilograms of gold out of the country this afternoon.

This forms part of the crackdown on illegal gold exports, which has intensified.

Information reaching JoyNews from highly placed sources indicates that several foreign nationals were arrested while trying to smuggle a substantial quantity of gold.

• Read also: Gov’t deports 3 foreigners, set to prosecute 3 others over gold smuggling

The operation was a joint effort between the Ghana Gold Board and National Security operatives.

The suspected smuggling attempt violates the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140), which strictly prohibits the unauthorized export of gold.

Further details emerged at an ongoing press conference at the National Security Headquarters in Accra.

The GoldBod announced that three out of six foreign nationals arrested for smuggling gold will be deported.

The remaining three will face prosecution under the new gold trading laws.

The decision was disclosed by Prince Minkah, spokesperson for the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), during the press conference.

A total of six suspects were apprehended in two separate operations.

The first batch of three suspects was arrested in the Ashanti Region before the enforcement of the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140).

These individuals will be deported since their arrest occurred before the April 30 deadline for foreigners to exit Ghana's local gold trade.

"They will be repatriated to their home country to reunite with their families," Minkah stated.

The second batch of three suspects was arrested in Anyinam after the new law took effect.

These individuals will face prosecution under the new law, which reserves local gold trading exclusively for the Gold Board. Authorities confiscated gold counting machines and cash (USD) from them.