Counterfeit currency syndicates used churches to hide printing operations – National Security Council Secretariat

Counterfeit currency syndicates deliberately exploited churches and administrative offices of some religious organisations to conceal their printing operations, the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) has revealed. The Secretariat said the use of religious premises was among the key operational patterns uncovered during intelligence-led raids conducted between June 12 and July 24, 2026. According to the NSCS, the syndicates used the premises to reduce suspicion around the noise and vibration generated by printing machines, as well as for storage of materials and finished counterfeit currency.

The disclosure forms part of findings from a major security operation targeting transnational and domestic criminal networks involved in the alleged large-scale production, possession and distribution of counterfeit Ghanaian and foreign currencies. In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 22, the NSCS said tactical units carried out six coordinated raids across operational locations in the Greater Accra Region and surrounding districts. The operations resulted in the arrest of 16 principal suspects, comprising Ghanaian and foreign nationals, and the dismantling of four printing hubs.

Security agencies seized four counterfeit currency printing machines, six vehicles and two motorcycles allegedly used to transport and distribute the counterfeit currency. They also recovered US$543,000, GH¢196,600 and CFA 60,000 in finished counterfeit notes. A further US$5,293,500, GH¢19,553,700 and CFA 623,550,000 in coupons yet to be processed and printed were also seized.

One of the significant operations occurred on June 29 at Lashibi and Klagon. The NSCS said a raid on an office facility in Lashibi led to the arrest of five suspects and the seizure of printing equipment. Follow-up intelligence subsequently took security teams to the headquarters of a religious facility in Klagon.

The Secretariat said searches there revealed that administrative offices and residential quarters were allegedly being used as a production and storage facility for the counterfeit currency operation. One printing machine and two operational vehicles were seized, along with large quantities of counterfeit currency coupons. Emmanuel Boakye-Danquah was identified by the NSCS as being at large in connection with the operation.

The allegations against the named suspect remain subject to the ong… The National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), working with security and intelligence agencies, says it has dismantled four major counterfeit currency printing hubs and arrested 16 suspects in a nationwide crackdown on criminal syndicates. The operations, conducted between June 12 and July 24, 2026, targeted networks allegedly involved in the large-scale printing, possession and distribution of counterfeit Ghanaian and foreign currencies.