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 arrested suspects are:
– Duut Kwabena Sakakba, 38
– Douglas Nyamekye, 36
– Ma Jian, 37 (Chinese)
– Ma Young, 31 (Chinese)
– Ma Haibi, 54 (Chinese)
Reports indicate that their illegal mining operations have severely polluted the river, which is a key water source for surrounding communities.
The suspects are currently in police custody, and preparations are underway for their court appearance, according to a statement from the Central North Regional Police Command.
During the operation, two excavators with chassis numbers SY 6HK1-XABEA-01-C3 and SWE365E00762 were seized. The operators of these excavators upon seeing the police task force fled the scene with the ignition keys.
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.
Story by Kwame Owusu Asante Shadrack, Rich FM Assin Fosu