Police arrest 8 Chinese, 2 Ghanaians in ECG cable theft operation
Eight Chinese nationals holding managerial roles at Sentuo Company and two Ghanaians have been arrested by the Ghana Police Service in connection with an alleged cable theft and metal export syndicate involving cables belonging to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
The suspects were picked up during a police operation at the Kpone Industrial Area in Tema on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at about 3:30 p.m.
The operation, carried out by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in collaboration with officials of the Ministry of Energy, followed intelligence that stolen ECG cables were being processed at the facility.
Addressing journalists in Accra on Monday, March 9, 2026, Director-General of CID, Lydia Yaako Donkor, said officers raided the premises of Sentuo Company located near Tema after acting on the intelligence.
Upon arrival, the team found about 70 employees allegedly cutting ECG service cables into pieces and stripping metal components from the insulation.
Police said the extracted bare wires were being compressed into metal blocks believed to be intended for export.
“The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters Operations Unit, in collaboration with officials of the Ministry of Energy, has uncovered a large cache of stolen Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) service cables and arrested 10 suspects in connection with an organised cable theft and metal export syndicate,” she said.
“During the operation, more than 100 drums of service cables suspected to belong to the Electricity Company of Ghana were discovered on the premises.”
Authorities said the quantity and condition of the cables suggest a sustained and organised operation targeting ECG infrastructure.
The Ghanaian nationals arrested were Samuel Ekpe and Priscilla Padu.
The other suspects, believed to be Chinese nationals playing managerial roles in the company, are Yuxiaoting, He Jing, Xu Changjiu, Li Lei, Chen Jin, Zheng Ma, Wang Jian and Bin Bin.
Police said a 24-hour guard has been placed at the premises to prevent the removal of any materials while investigations continue.
The Ghana Police Service described the operation as a major step in the fight against the theft of critical national infrastructure.
According to the Service, the stealing and illegal export of ECG cables has had a severe impact on electricity supply to communities, businesses and public institutions across the country.
Police reaffirmed their commitment to working with other state agencies to protect national assets and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
