The Central North Regional Police Command’s Anti-Galamsey Taskforce has arrested five individuals, including three Chinese nationals and two Ghanaians, for engaging in illegal mining activities along River Fum in Assin Ayitey, near Assin Akonfudi, a farming community in the Assin North District of the Central Region.
The suspects are Duut Kwabena Sakakba, aged 38, Douglas Nyamekye, aged 36, Ma Jian, aged 37, Ma Young, aged 31 and Ma Haibi, aged 54.
A statement issued by the Central North Region, Public Affairs Directorate, ASP Francis Onyina, said during the operation, two excavators were found being used at the site.
"During the operation, two (02) Excavators with chassis numbers SY 6HK1-XABEA-01-C3 and SWE365EOO762 were identified being used at the site by the miners. Notwithstanding the fact that the operators of the Excavators bolted with the ignition keys, efforts are underway to get the Excavators to a holding place. Meanwhile, the owners of the Excavator machines would be traced to face justice as well", the statement read.
Additionally, a Toyota Hilux with registration number GE-2743-13 was impounded at the site.
The police are actively working to transport the excavators to a secure location and are tracing the owners of the excavators to get them arrested.
