The Ghana Police's intensified series of intelligence-led operations has led to the arrest of 49 individuals involved in illegal mining activities in some parts of the country.

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These operations were carried out at 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.

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At Huniso, Wassa-Dadieso, and Wassa-Gyapa, the Western Central Regional Police Command nabbed 19 suspects, disabled over 135 chanfan machines, and retrieved exhibits including 23 water pumping machines, 4 excavator batteries, and a motorbike.

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At Akrokerri, the Ashanti South Regional Police Command apprehended 9 suspects.

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In the Awin River at Pankese and at Akyem Akwadum, the Eastern South Regional Police Command arrested 11 suspects and retrieved 1 excavator monitor, two excavator pedals, seven excavator control boards and one gold detecting device.

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At Dunkwa-On-Offin and Diaso, the Central North Regional Police Command arrested 10 suspects and retrieved four excavators, 8 pumping machines, and 1 cylinder machine.

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These coordinated operations resulted in the retrieval of exhibits, including various mining equipment.

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All suspects are in police custody assisting ongoing investigations.

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Meanwhile, the Koforidua Circuit Court B has granted 14 suspected illegal miners bail each in the sum of GHC350,000 with two sureties, with one to be justified with movable property.

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The suspects were arrested on May 15 for illegally mining at Akyem Muoso in the Eastern Region by the Eastern South Regional Police Command.

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At the time of the arrest, police retrieved a pump action gun from one of the suspects, Zuberu Nuhoho, who failed to produce documentation for the weapon.

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Two excavator control boards were also retrieved from the mining site.

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The accused persons were arraigned before the Koforidua Circuit Court B on May 16.

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