The Chief Executive Officer of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Julius Neequaye Kotey, has announced that, in collaboration with National Security, the Authority has uncovered an organised criminal cartel in Lapaz engaged in the production of counterfeit DV number plates.
According to him, the group manufactures fake DV plates and distributes them to other locations, including Kumasi and Tarkwa.
Addressing the press on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, Kotey revealed that more than 30,000 counterfeit DV plates have been illegally introduced into the system.
He explained that the criminals have generated approximately GH¢12,510,000 from the sale of the fake plates. The DVLA, he added, loses more than GH¢20,000 annually due to the illegal manufacturing and sale of counterfeit number plates.
“Investigations conducted over the past two weeks by the DVLA, in collaboration with National Security, have uncovered a well-organised criminal cartel involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit DV plates,” he said.
Ban on selected transit goods by land will boost government revenue – FABAG
“Our investigations reveal that over 30,000 fake DV plates have been illegally introduced into the system. Based on the official DV plate cost of GH¢417.25, the estimated street value of these fake plates currently in circulation exceeds GH¢12,510,000,” he added.
Kotey stressed that the activities of these criminal networks pose not only a financial loss to the Authority but also constitute a regulatory breach and a threat to national security.
Meanwhile, five individuals have been arrested and will be arraigned before court on March 17, 2026.
Two additional suspects have also been identified and are expected to face the full rigours of the law.
SA/MA
Copyright © 1994 - 2026 GhanaWeb. All rights reserved.
