Turkey gold saga; two arrested by National Security

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Created on Wednesday, 13 February 2013 00:00

Turkey gold saga; two arrested by National Security

National Security has arrested two senior employees of the Geological Survey Department to assist in investigations into the controversial export of gold from Ghana to Iran.

Dr Thomas Adu Deputy Director of the Geological Survey Department and Justice Adom, Senior Technical Officer of the Department were picked up, Wednesday after preliminary investigations and will be detained, Joy News has learnt.

The arrest follows reports of the detention of an aircraft in Istanbul, Turkey, allegedly carrying 1.5 tonnes of gold originating from Ghana and destined for the Islamic Republic of Iran.

It was earlier alleged that the said shipment was payment by Ghana in respect of some financial transaction with the Islamic Republic of Iran, an allegation the government was quick to rebut.

Initial investigations by National Security said two Ghanaians – Peter Bedzrah and Fredrick Kojo Essumang, operating under the corporate identity of Omanye Gold Mining Ltd which had no visible signs of a corporate entity, were involved in the transaction to supply gold to one Vahid Moradi Moghaddam in Turkey.

However, the gold substances was captured as “mineral samples” for “laboratory analysis only and of no commercial value” in a document signed for the Director of Geological Survey, Dr Thomas Adu when it got to the Kotoka International Airport for pre-export formalities.

It turned out that substance was actually bullion of gold which was exported out of the country only to be detained in Turkey.

The two officials of the Geological Survey Department are assisting with investigations.

From: Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com