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Information gathered from investigations being conducted by the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI) indicates that two persons, Peter Bedzrah and Fredrick Kojo Essumang, may be involved in the massive 1.5-tonne gold haul valued at $80million that was confiscated by Turkish authorities early January 2013. According to a statement issued by the Minister of Information and Media Relations, Mahama Ayariga, last Friday, the two suspects, operating under the corporate identity of Omanye Gold Mining Ltd, were involved in a transaction to supply gold to one Vahid Moradi Moghaddam. According to BNI investigations, Omanye Gold Mining is operating from a house at Tantra Hill in Achimota, a suburb of Accra, without visible signs of a corporate entity, as stipulated by the Companies Act, 1963 (Act 179). Early January, Turkish authorities at the Atatuk International Airport in Istanbul grounded a cargo plane of Turkish origin carrying a whopping 1.5-tonne gold cache without proper documentations. Also, the origin and destination of the cargo was difficult to establish, but the gold on board the plane were alleged to be Ghanaian; and international media networks reported that the gold was meant as payment in honour of Ghana�s �commitments� in a transaction with the Islamic Republic of Iran. There were further speculations that some persons close to the Presidency were behind the gold haul, but the Government denied any association with the gold consignment valued at approximately $80 million The BNI investigations established that a ULS cargo aircraft (Airbus 300-B4) arrived at the Kotoka International Airport from Tripoli, Libya and its officers filled a Landing Clearance Request form in which they indicated that they were to lift gold bars as their cargo. The consignment arrived at the KIA for pre-export formalities under two certificates for �mineral samples� for �laboratory analysis only and of no commercial value�, both signed for the Director of Geological Survey by one Dr Thomas Adu; but with one dated 31st December 2012 and the second dated 7th January 2013. The said �mineral samples� were consigned to an address in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). According to the preliminary investigations, at the airport, one Isaac Anakwa Asante, Head of Operations of Menzies Airline Handling Services which handled the aircraft from touchdown to departure, and inspected the cargo before scanning by Nick TC-Scan, reported sighting gold bars. The exporter, Kofi Bedzrah of Omanye Gold Mining Ltd, also insisted his company exported gold bars of 1.5 tonnes, claiming it was worth $62million. �The cargo departed Accra on 31st December 2012 with the goods which was destined for Dubai but was detained at the Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul, Turkey on 1st January, 2013 because of claims of questionable documentation,� the statement said. Curiously, the investigations revealed that the exceptionally high valued gold was labeled as �mineral samples� and the pre-departure formalities were endorsed by Kwesi Avemee, a collector of CD/GRA and Albert Kan Dapaah, a Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) official. �While mineral samples do not attract tax liability, it was found unusual to have mineral samples shipped in such tonnage,� observed Mahama Ayariga. �Investigations are on-going but it is obvious from the preliminary findings that the Government of Ghana was not involved in the transaction as conjectured in sections of the media,� stated the Minister of Information. �The BNI is still carrying out investigations into the discrepancy in description of the shipment at various times as mineral samples and gold bullion during the export process. Efforts are being made to trace Mr. Moghaddam and interrogation of persons involved is still ongoing. An update on the case would be provided as and when additional facts become available,� he said.