Police Arrest 49 Suspects in Nationwide Crackdown on Illegal Mining – GhArticles.com

The Ghana Police Service has arrested 49 individuals in a series of coordinated operations targeting illegal mining activities, commonly known as galamsey, across various regions of the country.

The intelligence-led operations, carried out in collaboration with regional commands, took place in multiple illegal mining hotspots including Huniso, Wassa-Dadieso, and Wassa-Gyapa in the Western Region; Akrokerri in the Ashanti Region; Dunkwa-On-Offin and Diaso in the Central Region; and the Awin River at Pankese and Akyem Akwadum in the Eastern Region.

In the Western Region alone, 19 suspects were arrested. The police disabled over 135 chanfan mining machines and seized key equipment such as 23 water pumping machines, four excavator batteries, and a motorbike.

The Ashanti South Regional Police Command arrested nine suspects at Akrokerri, while in the Eastern Region, 11 individuals were apprehended at Akyem Akwadum and along the Awin River at Pankese. Items retrieved included an excavator monitor, two excavator pedals, seven excavator control boards, and a gold detecting device.

In the Central Region, 10 suspects were arrested at Dunkwa-On-Offin and Diaso. Officers also retrieved four excavators, eight pumping machines, and a cylinder machine.

A statement issued by the Ghana Police Service on Sunday, June 1, 2025, confirmed that all suspects are currently in custody and assisting with ongoing investigations.