Illegal Mining: Police arrest Three Burkinabes, Five Ghanaians at Ayanfuri
Story: Shadrack Owusu Asante, Rich FM Assin Fosu
The Central North Police Command, acting on credible intelligence, conducted a special operation that led to the arrest of eight individuals engaged in illegal mining and drug peddling activities at Denkyira Ayanfuri.
Addressing the media, the Central North Regional Police Commander, DCOP Abraham Acquaye, said the operation formed part of the IGP, Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno’s, intensified nationwide campaign to clamp down illegal mining and safeguard the country’s environment and natural resources.
A 25-member Regional Anti-Galamsey Task Force, led by DCOP Acquaye and three other senior officers, moved swiftly to the site and apprehended the suspects, who were using cyanide, a dangerous chemical for the illegal activities.
Among those arrested were Ghanaian nationals; Isaac Odum, 39, and Lazarus Sango, 44, believed to be the owners of the site.
Other Ghanaian suspects arrested included; Stephen Nkrumah, 30; Kofi Emmanuel, 23; and John Nkrumah, 27.
The three Burkinabe nationals were Sulemana Naaba, 36; Benjamin Adibanga, 29; and Iddis Rogo, 30.
The team seized five pumping machines, two rubber bowls containing sand, a gasoline generator, and a gallon of cyanide.
All eight suspects are in police custody at the Central North Regional Command in Assin Fosu and are assisting ongoing investigations.
The equipment retrieved has been kept at the station for evidential purposes.
DCOP Acquaye commended the Central Regional Minister, Mr Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah, and IGP Tetteh Yohuno for their unwavering support in the fight against illegal mining.
He also hinted that the IGP had deployed over 60 personnel from the National Headquarters to assist the Central North Regional Command to effectively combat the menace of illegal mining.
DCOP therefore urged the public to volunteer timely information to help clamp down on other criminal activities, including drug trafficking.
He reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to protect the environment and maintain law and order.
