The Upper West Regional Police Command has arrested seven individuals in connection with illegal mining activities on the Black Volta River at Chiantanga, a community near Dorimon in the Wa West District.
The arrests were made during a swoop on Thursday, April 10, following intelligence about illegal operations endangering the river and its surrounding ecosystem.
The suspects have been identified as Sabugu Razak, Ibrahim Zuberu, Alex Amedzake, John Cobblah, Promise Dufe, Angelina Akpese, and Rebecca Tumawu.
They are currently in police custody assisting with investigations and are expected to be arraigned before court soon.
Items retrieved from the mining site include ten (10) Changfang dredging machines, two unregistered PNE and Apsonic tricycles, a motorbike with registration number M-24-NR 6010, another with number M-23-UW 4413, and two unregistered Haojue and Apsonic motorbikes. Six student mattresses were also found at the location, suggesting that some of the suspects may have been residing at the site.
The Regional Police Commander, DCOP Nii Darko Offei Lomotey, reiterated the police’s commitment to combating illegal mining, commonly known as “galamsey,” in the region.
“This operation is part of our broader strategy to protect our water bodies and environment from the harmful effects of illegal mining. We will continue to act decisively against those who flout the law,” he said.
