The Police Service on July 10 reported the arrest of some seven persons for illegal mining activities at Abora in Upper Denkyira West.

The Central Regional Police Command made the arrest following an intelligence-led operation conducted at the targeted location where the suspects were actively engaging in illegal mining activities.

The suspects are identified as; Latif Abdul Gyimah (55), Mohammed Bello (44), George Azu (52), Kingsley Owusu (23), Sampson Afadzi (45), Simon Atakpo (21), Andrews Otto (26).

One single-barrel shotgun, two pump-action shotguns (Mossberg 500A12GA) with serial numbers T069032 and T075882, 26 live cartridges, two excavators, two Hyundai excavator monitors, three unregistered motorbikes, one unregistered Haojin tricycle, and one (1) newly installed water pump machine, were retrieved.

According to the police, efforts are underway to retrieve additional excavators from the site.

All suspects are currently in police custody assisting investigations, while exhibits have been retained in secure police custody.

In June, two coordinated operations conducted at Nikanika and Adeade in the Central Region led to the arrest of 3 suspects and the seizure of several pieces of mining equipment.

The operations were executed by the Ghana Police Service, through its Special Anti-Galamsey Task Force.

The task force proceeded to a mining site at Nikanika. Although no operators were found at the scene, the team retrieved one (1) single-barrel shotgun loaded with a cartridge and three (3) water pumping machines.

In a related development, the task force extended its operation to Adeade, where three suspects; Prosper Quansah, Chrispin Nartey, and Owusu Gambra, were arrested with an excavator on a lowbed trailer.

One SANY excavator, four unregistered Haojin motorbikes, and one lowbed vehicle with registration number GN 2136-24 were seized from the scene.

The suspects are currently in police custody assisting investigations, while all exhibits have been secured in police custody.

The Police are ensuring the prosecution of individuals arrested for illegal mining activities.