Operation by the Eastern South Regional Police Command has resulted in the arrest of eleven individuals suspected of engaging in illegal mining activities in the Akyem Fichser community, located near Bunsu.
The arrests follow a tip-off that brought to light the damaging impact of these activities on local tree plantations.
The police operation successfully apprehended nine Ghanaian nationals and two citizens of Burkina Faso.
The Ghanaian suspects have been identified as Kwaku Owusu (42), Philip Tetteh (52), Abdul Raham (27), Philip Duvor (40), Joseph Asare (32), Charles Manu (35), Joseph Araboga (32), Daniel Bangah (20), and Amoaho Isaac (25). The two Burkinabe nationals arrested are Jey Done (40) and Adoma Aboubakar (25).
Preliminary reports from authorities indicate that the illegal mining operations have caused considerable destruction to a substantial area of tree plantations within the Fichser vicinity, raising serious concerns about the environmental consequences of these actions.
Alongside the arrests, law enforcement officials confiscated an excavator from the site, which is now being held as crucial evidence in the ongoing investigation.
The eleven individuals taken into custody are currently being detained and are in the process of being prepared for court appearance to face charges related to illegal mining.
Addressing the media in Kyebi, the Eastern South Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Ohene Boadi Bossman, spoke about the operation and reiterated the police service’s unwavering commitment to combating crime and upholding law and order throughout the region.
DCOP Ohene Boadi Bossman emphasized the police’s determination to tackle illegal activities and assured residents, particularly those within the jurisdiction of the Eastern South Regional Police Command, that their safety and security remain a top priority.
The police have made it clear that they intend to pursue these cases rigorously to deter future illicit mining activities.
