The Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested fifteen individuals for engaging in illegal mining activities during a targeted intelligence-led operation in the Manso Adubia area.
The operation, which took place at Watreso and Preacher Krom, forms part of intensified efforts by law enforcement agencies to combat illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, in the region.
The suspects, aged between 21 and 45, were apprehended while actively engaging in unlawful mining operations.
Those arrested include Tahiru Ibrahim (24), Shaibu Idrissu (23), Boateng Emmanuel (27), Jamon Kwaku Samuel (21), Yaro Patrick (29), Kofi Boakye (21), Gubong Mathew (45), Fatawu Zackari Seidu (26), Abdul Malik Seidu (22), Dauda Tahiru (23), Sampson Grace (21), Boolangkpuo Freda (24), Arima Hagar (26), Kwarteng Vasco (30), and Kwame Adutwum (24).
Some mining equipment and weapons were recovered during the raid. Among the seized items were:
- Two (2) excavator control boards
- Two (2) automatic pump-action guns
- Two (2) Musler 12 firearms
- Fifty-nine (59) BB cartridges
- Three (3) AA cartridges
- One (1) water pumping machine
- Two (2) power generators
- One (1) vulcanising machine
- One (1) Apsonic motorbike
According to police, all suspects are currently in custody and assisting with ongoing investigations. The seized items have also been retained as evidence.
Calls from civil society organisations, environmentalists, and the general public for the government to declare a state of emergency on all mining activities in water bodies and forest reserves have intensified in recent months, due to the alarming environmental destruction caused by illegal mining. However, these calls are yet to yield any concrete action.
