13 illegal miners have been arrested in the Dormaa East District of the Bono Region through a joint operation by the police and other security personnel in the district.
The joint operation that led to the arrest of these 13 illegal miners involved personnel from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Assembly Members, National Investigation Bureau, and Dormaa East District Police Command.
At Kotodwe and Wamfie suspects Godfred Amoako, aged 24 years, and Adomah Jones, aged 30 years, were met preparing to prospect for gold in a cocoa farm along the Apampramu River bank and they were arrested.
The owner of the cocoa farm, Hinneh Kwasi, aged 51 years, who was met in the farm, was also arrested.
At Supre, Dormaa Akwamu, suspects Atanga Kenneth, aged 25 years, Amalia Augustine, aged 23 years, Amalia Michael, aged 20 years, Alameya Joshua, aged 20 years, and Akasoa Rosemary, aged 20 years, were met actively engaging in illegal mining along the Supre River and were also arrested.
One water pumping machine, four shovels, two pickaxes, six washing carpets, one black plastic basin, a metal bucket containing a mixture of sand and water, three cutlasses and a pair of wellington boots believed to be implements used in their illegal activities were retrieved at the scene and are retained.
The District Chief for Dormaa East District, Emmanuel Kofi Agyemang, has been speaking on the operation
“We have launched an operation to deal with illegal mining in the district. By the end of November, we will ensure that all illegal miners are flush out from the district. All those involved in the act will be dealt with.”
Mr. Agyemang warned people who have the intention to come to the district to do illegal mining.
“We will deal with anyone who is involved in the illegal mining in the district.”
