By Daniel Bampoe
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has confirmed the arrest of Maxwell Kofi Jumah, immediate past Managing Director of GIHOC Distilleries Company Limited, in connection with the alleged theft of three vehicles belonging to the state-owned company.
According to the Director-General of the CID, the vehicles have been retrieved and Jumah is currently assisting with investigations.
This revelation came during a comprehensive press briefing held on Monday, June 30, 2025, at the CID Headquarters in Accra.
The CID also disclosed significant progress in a string of high-profile criminal cases, including an attempted gold robbery, the rescue of QNET human trafficking victims, and the arrest of Chinese nationals engaged in illegal mining.
In a case that has gripped national attention, the CID confirmed that Kofi Jumah is under investigation for allegedly stealing three official vehicles belonging to GIHOC Distilleries.
A valid arrest warrant was secured following police inquiries, leading to his arrest.
Authorities noted that all three vehicles have since been retrieved.
No further details were provided on the circumstances surrounding the alleged theft, but officials emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and Jumah remains in police custody.
Kofi Jumah, a former Mayor of Kumasi,was appointed by the previous administration to head GIHOC.
His tenure was fraught with controversies, including internal company audits and procurement-related concerns, which may now add context to the current probe.
Foiled Robbery of Gold Dealer Worth Over GH₵1.3m
The CID also outlined how police intelligence foiled a daring robbery attempt on a gold consignment valued at GH₵1.35 million.
The robbery, which was planned by insiders including the driver and a bodyguard of a mining consultant, was thwarted through a coordinated surveillance and interception operation on June 26, 2025, along the Accra–Akuapim–Mamfe road.
Three suspects—Adams Zibo, Massawud Yussif, and Kenneth Khartey—were arrested. The police retrieved 1.2 kilograms of gold and safely rescued the intended victim, Rashid.
Investigations revealed that the suspects had conspired for over a month and secured logistics, including a vehicle, motorbikes, and funds to procure weapons.
INTERPOL and CID Rescue Dozens from QNET Trafficking Network
Human trafficking under the guise of the QNET network continues to devastate lives, and the CID provided a detailed account of its latest operations to dismantle the syndicate. Between May and June 2025, a joint effort between the Ghana Police Service and INTERPOL Nigeria led to the rescue of 76 Ghanaian victims and the arrest of seven suspects in Nigeria.
Another 48 victims—foreign nationals from Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, and Guinea—were rescued from camps in Ghana and repatriated.
The CID warned that QNET’s deceptive schemes remain widespread.
Victims are typically lured with promises of jobs, sports scholarships, or overseas travel.
Upon arrival in unfamiliar countries, they are held in cramped, squalid “camps,” stripped of their documents, and forced to defraud relatives back home.
Authorities reminded the public of a 2022 High Court ruling that ordered the dissolution of QNET’s Ghana operations, describing them as fraudulent and akin to Ponzi schemes.
The Police urged citizens to exercise caution, particularly with recruitment offers involving travel within the West African sub-region.
16 Chinese and a Ghanaian Arrested for Galamsey in Akyem Amenase
In the Eastern Region, the CID revealed that on June 20, a joint team from the CID Headquarters and National SWAT arrested 16 foreign nationals and one Ghanaian involved in illegal mining on a private concession in Akyem Amenase.
The Ghanaian suspect, Abdul Mumin Adams, confessed to facilitating the arrival of the Chinese nationals. All 15 Chinese suspects admitted entering Ghana on tourist visas without work permits.
They were arraigned before the Koforidua Circuit Court on June 24 and remanded into custody pending further investigations.
The police are pursuing an additional suspect, identified only as Zhou, believed to have played a central role in the illegal operations.
CID Reaffirms Commitment to Public Safety
In his closing remarks, the Director-General of the CID, Lydia Yaako Donkor reiterated the Police Service’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks and protecting lives and property across the country.
He praised officers involved in the operations for their professionalism and swift response, and appealed to the public for continued cooperation.
“The adverse impact of organized crime—whether through fraud, human trafficking, or illegal mining—cannot be overstated,” he emphasized.
“Together, with vigilance and collaboration, we will protect our communities and uphold the rule of law.”
The Ghana Police Service urged citizens to report suspicious activity and remain cautious when offered too-good-to-be-true opportunities, particularly those involving travel and job placement schemes.
