Seven Arrested for Engaging in Illegal Mining in Central Region
The Central Regional Police Command has arrested seven individuals for engaging in illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey, at Abora, a community in the Upper Denkyira West District of the Central Region.
The arrests were made during an intelligence-led operation conducted by the police at a targeted site, where the suspects were apprehended while actively engaging in the illicit activity.
The suspects have been identified as Latif Abdul Gyimah, 55; Mohammed Bello, 44; George Azu, 52; Kingsley Owusu, 23; Sampson Afadzi, 45; Simon Atakpo, 21; and Andrews Otto, 26.
During the operation, the police retrieved a number of items from the suspects, including:
One single-barrel shotgun
Two pump-action shotguns (Mossberg 500A12GA) with serial numbers T069032 and T075882
Twenty-six live cartridges
Two excavators
Two Hyundai excavator monitors
Three unregistered motorbikes
One unregistered Haojin tricycle
One newly installed water pump machine
The police say efforts are underway to locate and recover additional excavators believed to be hidden at the site.
All seven suspects are currently in police custody assisting with ongoing investigations. The retrieved weapons, equipment, and machinery have been secured as evidence.
The Central Regional Police Command has reiterated its commitment to intensifying operations against illegal mining activities, which continue to pose a significant threat to the environment, particularly to the country’s forest reserves and water bodies.
