Some 12 accused persons standing trial for engaging in illegal mining activities at Tumetu near Princess Town in the Ahanta West Municipality of the Western Region have been remanded into prison custody.

While 10 of the accused persons were arrested at a palm plantation, two were arrested at the Elluabo Chavene Ghana Rubber Estate Limited (GREL) plantation.

This was due to a coordinated police intelligence-led operation within the Ahanta West Municipality.

The accused persons are; Lord Yankey, Caleb Adu Kwaw, Stephen Agyei, Ebenezer Barnes, Mathew Somagevi, Paa Grant, Bashiru Kaviru, Joseph Borney, Aminu Issah, Kofi Sogah, Albert Normah, Robert Mensah.

Four water pumping machines, one tricycle with registration number M-20-WR 1045, and two motorbikes were retrieved from the sites, according to the police.

All twelve accused persons admitted to the offence during police interrogations.

They were subsequently put before the Takoradi Harbour Area Circuit Court ‘A’, and were remanded into prison custody at Sekondi to reappear on Tuesday, July 8.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service has arrested 23 suspects involved in illegal mining, as well as disabled and retrieved various mining equipment.

t, police arrested 23 suspects during operations along the Wassa Akropong–Japa–Dadieso road.

The team also extended operations to the Obeng Mining Group site at Wassa Japa, where 64 changfan machines were disabled.

At Wassa Dominase, officers responded to intelligence on illegal mining near the Goil and Energy Oil filling stations along the Agona Amenfi–Gyedua Kesse Junction road.

Seven changfan machines and washing boards were disabled. Three water pumping machines and one pickaxe were retrieved.

In a separate operation in Asankrangwa, police acted on information about illegal mining near the 1D1F building along the Asankra Saah–Asankra Kwabeng road, retrieving three water pumping machines and four motorbikes.

All suspects are in custody assisting with ongoing investigations.