The Operation Vanguard taskforce in the Eastern Region has arrested 32 people for mining illegally at Kwabeng in the Atewa District of the Region.
The 32 were arrested while mining at their site at Okagya bush near Kwabeng, upon intelligence gathered by the taskforce.
[contextly_sidebar id=”ZZalF3hQGHLTe8kcShQDtkDV1O7YC0fV”]ASP Ebenezer Tetteh, the Eastern Regional Police Public Relations Officer, who confirmed the arrest to Citi News stated that the illegal miners were armed with guns and were busily mining when they were apprehended by Operation Vanguard.
ASP Ebenezer Tetteh added the taskforce managed to retrieve 20 pumping machines, three water holes, one grease gun, carpet, and two head pans, a locally manufactured rifle with three live cartridges from the site.
“The suspects were then escorted to Regional Police HeadQuarters whilst the exhibits are kept safe under the custody of team, but as I speak, the 32 suspects are in our custody and efforts are being made to transport the exhibit to the station,” he added.
This latest arrest brings the number of suspects at the New Juaben Municipal Divisional Police Command to 41 as 9 other suspects were brought in by the Operation Vanguard taskforce for also mining illegally.
Several arrests have been made in various parts of the country for engaging illegal mining in Ghana.
Operation Vanguard, a taskforce comprising a joint military and police of about 400 personnel, was sent to three regions – Ashanti, Eastern and Western, to flush out illegal miners in those areas.
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By: Neil Nii Amatey Kanarku/citifmonline.com/Ghana