Court denies bail for 10 Chinese nationals in gold smuggling case

Ten Chinese nationals arrested in connection with a major gold smuggling operation will remain in custody after the Accra Circuit Court denied their bail applications.

The accused — Wu Cheng Wei, Tang Da Tien, Wang Chun Ling, Wei Dong, Li Fu Shou, Wei Sheng Xin, He Shi Long, Li Ren Neng, Fang Zhun Sheng, and Zheng Xi Chuang — face multiple serious charges, including illegal gold trading, tax evasion, money laundering, hoarding of gold, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

Due to health issues, Wu and Zheng are under police care, while the National Investigation Bureau is holding the remaining suspects. Lawyers for the accused had filed for bail, but the court declined, citing ongoing investigations and a request by the prosecution for more time to consult.

The accused are scheduled to reappear in court on July 21, 2025. Prosecutors disclosed that one of the suspects is currently on the run.

According to investigators, the suspects, who reside in Asankraguaa in the Western Region, were reported to the Ghana Gold Board Intelligence Unit for allegedly breaching directives related to gold trading.

A raid by the National Security Gold Board Task Force on June 30 led to their arrest and the seizure of a significant haul: over 1.2 kilograms of gold in various forms, financial records, mercury, 12 pump-action guns with 36 cartridges, gold scales, and two safes containing casino chips.

During preliminary questioning, the suspects allegedly confessed to engaging in both gold and casino businesses but failed to provide the required legal documentation or identify their gold storage facilities.

Prosecutors said the accused had been operating outside Ghana’s tax regulations. Investigations are still underway to uncover the full extent of the activities.