The Ghana Police has arrested 49 people in a nationwide crackdown on illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, through a series of intelligence-led operations.
The coordinated operations took place in Huniso, Wassa-Dadieso, and Wassa-Gyapa in the Western Region; Akrokerri in the Ashanti Region; Dunkwa-On-Offin and Diaso in the Central Region; as well as the Awin River at Pankese and Akyem Akwadum in the Eastern Region.
In a statement, the police explained that these efforts resulted in the seizure of various mining equipment used in the illegal operations.
At Huniso, Wassa-Dadieso, and Wassa-Gyapa, the Western Central Regional Police Command arrested 19 suspects, disabled over 135 changfan machines, retrieved 23 water pumping machines, four excavator batteries, and a motorbike.
In Akrokerri, the Ashanti South Regional Police Command apprehended nine individuals involved in illegal mining.
At the Awin River in Pankese and Akyem Akwadum, the Eastern South Regional Police Command arrested eleven (11) suspects and confiscated one excavator monitor, two excavator pedals, seven excavator control boards, and a gold detecting device.
In Dunkwa-On-Offin and Diaso, the Central North Regional Police Command arrested ten (10) suspects and retrieved four excavators, eight pumping machines, and one cylinder machine.
All the suspects are currently in police custody, assisting with investigations.
Read the full statement below:
