Authorities in Assin North have arrested five individuals—three Chinese nationals and two Ghanaians—for engaging in illegal mining activities, also known as ‘galamsey’. The arrests were made during a coordinated operation involving local security forces and the Minerals Commission, aimed at curbing the environmental degradation plaguing the region.
The Central North Regional Police Command’s Anti-Galamsey Taskforce has arrested five individuals, including three Chinese nationals and two Ghanaians, for engaging in illegal mining activities along River Fum in Assin Ayitey, near Assin Akonfudi, a farming community in the Assin North District of the Central Region.
The arrested suspects are:
- Duut Kwabena Sakakba, 38
- Douglas Nyamekye, 36
- Ma Jian, 37 (Chinese)
- Ma Young, 31 (Chinese)
- Ma Haibi, 54 (Chinese)
Reports indicate that their illegal mining operations have severely polluted the river, which is a key water source for surrounding communities.
The suspects are currently in police custody, and preparations are underway for their court appearance, according to a statement from the Central North Regional Police Command.
During the operation, two excavators with chassis numbers SY 6HK1-XABEA-01-C3 and SWE365E00762 were seized. The operators of these excavators, upon seeing the police task force, fled the scene with the ignition keys.
Additionally, a Toyota Hilux with registration number GE-2743-13 was impounded at the site.
The police are actively working to transport the excavators to a secure location and are tracing the owners of the excavators to get them arrested.
Last Updated on April 9, 2025 by samboad
