The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has handed over 17 gold bars, valued at $1.7 million, to the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) at a brief ceremony held at the Ministry of the Interior in Accra.

The gold bars were confiscated by officers from the Upper East Regional Command of NACOC at the Paga border post.

They were intercepted from two Burkinabè nationals who were attempting to smuggle the precious metal out of the country.

The individuals involved have since been charged with offences relating to the transportation and unauthorised dealing in gold.

Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, reaffirmed the Ministry’s unwavering support for GoldBod, commending its role in ensuring responsible and regulated management of Ghana’s gold resources.

The Chief Executive Officer of GoldBod, Sammy Gyamfi, expressed profound gratitude to the Director-General of NACOC for the successful recovery and transfer of the gold.

He also underscored the importance of enhanced collaboration among security agencies to effectively combat illegal gold trade.

The handover was witnessed by the Chief Director of the Ministry, Doreen Annan; Director-General of NACOC, Brigadier General Maxwell Obuba Mantey; and other senior officials from NACOC and GoldBod.