10 illegal miners arrested at Gomoa Oguaakrom

The Operation Vanguard Squad of the Agona Swedru Divisional Police Command has arrested ten small scale  miners  for allegedly engaging in illegal mining operations, popularly known as ” Galamsey”.

Led by the Chief Superintendent Samuel Yankey, Divisional Police Commander, the squad apprehended the illegal miners who have beenn operating at the sites for over 15 years.

The suspects who are currently in police custody are, Moses Duada, Isaac Mensah, Kwesi Mensah, Isaac Buabeng, John Dompoh, Kwesi Takyi, Stephen Arhin, Kweku Gyasi. Yaw Kumi and Fatawo Ibrahim.

Addressing the media, Chief Superintendent Yankey said the least age among these illegal miners was 14 years and the rest were between 30 and 59 years.

He said that all the ten were citizens of Gomoa Oguaakrom.

According to the Divisional Commander, the team acted upon a tipped-off based on intelligence report that there were some illegal miners operating at Gomoa Oguaakrom, near Winneba-Junction.

Chief Superintendent Yankey said some Police officers were deployed into the site and they saw the crushing machines and other equipment and reported back the situation to the Command.

The Divisional Commander said the Police rushed to the sites and arrested the illegal miners who were causing damage to water bodies and degrading the environment.

Chief Superintendent Yankey said  the Police seized over 100 fertilizer sacks filled  with stones suspected to contain gold as well as crush and pumping machines,

They also burnt down sheds erected around the dam where the gold is washed after crushing.

The Agona Swedru Divisional Police Commander told the media that the suspects would be arraigned before the Agona Swedru Circuit Court after investigations had been completed.

He said the Police would be visiting suspected galamsey sites within the jurisdiction as part of the efforts to clamp down on illegal mining.

Source: GNA