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The Ghana Immigration Service [GIS] has removed from the country, twenty-six Bangladeshi nationals suspected to be victims of human trafficking/smuggling during the period July 21 to August 9, 2012. They were arrested on the June 28, 2012 by the Eastern Regional command of the GIS in collaboration with the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI). A statement signed by Acoi Francis Palmdeti, head of the Public Affairs section of GIS and released to the News Agency on Friday, said the suspects had visas purportedly issued by the Ghana High Commission in New Delhi, India, which were later confirmed to be fake. Three of the suspects also had fake GIS permits in their passports, the statement said, adding that "the mastermind is currently on the run but the GIS is being assisted in its investigations by one Osman, a Ghanaian accomplice." It said investigations revealed that the foreigners had been in the country for periods ranging between two weeks and eight months and until their arrest were residing in Koforidua, and that their removal expenses were borne by their relatives in Bangladesh. "The GIS wishes to sensitize the public, landlords, guest houses and hotels to be wary of foreigners who live in their premises or neighborhoods whose movements seem to be suspicious". The statement also observed that certain unscrupulous persons seek to use Ghana as a transit point for some foreigners who wish to migrate to South Africa, Canada and the United States, and therefore urged the general public to inform the GIS about such characters when noticed. "With the passage of the human smuggling law, it is important to note that persons who act as collaborators, facilitators and accomplices would be prosecuted", it stated, adding that the security of the State was a collective responsibility that required every citizen to put in an effort.