Operation vanguard arrest 4 foreigners and 17 Ghanaians for engaging in ‘galamsey’
The Central Forward Operating Based (FOB) of Operation Vanguard has arrested three foreigners and 17 Ghanaians for engaging in illegal mining at Upper Denkyira West District of the Western region on Monday.
The arrest was made at Adeade and Asuawde general area of the Upper Denkyira West District as they were conducting their illegal mining activities along the Offin River.
Among those arrested were an 18 year old Chinese National Wu Cheng, two Togolese nationals namely Larry Nana 28 years and Kombate Yarik 35 while the 17 Ghanaians had their ages ranging from 15 to 38 years.
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Operation Vanguard, Squadron Leader Robison Omane Agyei, disclosed this to the OTEC Fm said the illegal miners were conducting their activities along the Offin River leading continues pollution of the offin river which serves as a source of many communities downstream.
Items seized from them include 6 excavators, 7 industrial water pumping machines with smaller pumping machines and other mining equipment. The Team also immobilize 10 changfan machines.
The suspects and the items seized were handed over to the Atakyem Police Station in Dunkwa-on-Offin for further investigations and possible prosecution.
Record so far
Operation Vanguard Task Force has since inception a year ago has so far arrested 1, 265 suspected illegal miners who are before the various courts. The Joint Task Force has also seized 111 weapons and 2353 ammunition from illegal miners, seized 234 with 333 excavators immobilized, seized 474 water pumping machines with 994 immobilized, 5362 changfans immobilized. 81 vehicles and 81 motorbikes have also been seized. Additionally, 14 dynamites and 11 explosives have been seized.
The PRO called on the general public not to relent on providing very vital information to the Task Force since it could aid them in their pursuit to flush out illegal miners to allow government to regularize the mining sector.
He reminded people to help to sanitize the environment for future generations and for mining to be done in more sustainable manner.
Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com
