The Ghana Police Service has arrested 47 individuals in connection with illegal mining activities following a four-day continuous intelligence-led operation in the Samreboi enclave of the Western Region.
The operation, which began on April 17, 2025, targeted illegal mining sites along the Tano River and within the Aboi, Subri, and Nimiri forests.
Among those arrested are 39 Ghanaians and 8 Chinese nationals. Authorities also retrieved several exhibits during the crackdown, including 17 excavators, a bulldozer, four motorbikes, two Toyota Hilux pickups, a Toyota RAV4, four pump action guns, a single barrel gun, 54 live BB cartridges, and eight water pumping machines used in the illegal operations.
On April 22, forty-one of the suspects were arraigned before court. Twenty-nine of them were remanded into police custody and are expected to reappear in court on April 30, 2025. The remaining twelve were also remanded and are scheduled to reappear on May 2, 2025.
The final seven suspects will be put before the court today, April 23.
As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the fight against illegal mining, the Police Administration has also undertaken a reshuffle of commanders in affected areas.
This includes changes to certain Divisional and District Commanders in the Eastern, Western, and Western North Police Regions, aimed at injecting renewed energy and oversight into operations in galamsey hotspots.
The Police Service reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining efforts in the fight against illegal mining and ensuring the protection of Ghana’s natural resources.
