By Emmanuel Gamson
Takoradi, March 14, GNA – About 56 individuals have been arrested and handed over to the Western Regional Police Command for their involvement in illegal mining activities at Kadadwen in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality.
About 25 of their changfang machines used to wash and trap gold, were seized and destroyed by the security personnel in the process.
The move, sanctioned by Mr Joseph Nelson, the Western Regional Minister, was part of a targeted operation being carried out by the Western Regional Security Council (REGSEC) to combat illegal mining activities in the region.
It was a joint operation carried out by personnel from the Western Naval Command, Second Infantry Battalion, and the Police as a step towards addressing the issue of illegal mining in the Western Region.
The operation targeted illegal miners in specific areas, including the farmlands of Ghana Rubber Estate Company Limited (GREL), North Palm oil plantation farm lands, Kadadwen, and parts of the Mpohor District.
In all, 56 individuals from seven different groups, comprising 47 males and nine females were arrested.
Their machines and equipment including, three motorbikes, nine pumping machines, three excavators and three pay-loaders were also seized.
Brigadier General Musah Whajah (Rtd), the Western Regional National Security Liaison Officer, who led the operation expressed concerns about the devastating impact of these illegal mining activities and vowed to support the Regional Minister to take action against the menace in the region.
“We made some arrests during today’s operation, and this time, we are taking a different approach. The suspects will be screened by the police, and those found culpable will be put before the court,” he stated.
In a similar operation, a joint Rapid Response Team from the Tarkwa and Takoradi Forest Districts of the Forestry Commission had also arrested eight illegal miners and seized seven motorcycles and three tricycles from the Subri Forest Reserve.
All suspects have been handed over to the Western Regional Police Command for further investigations and prosecution.
GNA
JP/LAA