Galamsey: 18 arrested along Ayanfuri-Bibiani road

The task force on illegal mining [galamsey], Operation Vanguard, has arrested 18 illegal miners along the Ayanfuri-Bibiani road.

The operation on Thursday and Friday were led by the Commander of Operation Vanguard, Col. Michael Amoah Ayisi, with personnel from Ashanti, Central and Eastern Forward Operating Bases (FOB).

The operation, which started on Thursday June 14th 2018, ended in the early hours of Friday, June 15th.

The operation took place in communities such as Ayanfuri, Brofoyedu, Abora, Breman, Treposo, Dominase, Adaboe, and Diaso all in Upper Denkyira West District of the Central Region.

The team also extended the operation to illegal mining sites in Bibiani Awaso in Sewfi Bibiani-Anhwaiso-Bekwai District of the Western Region.

The District shares boundaries with Atwima District of the Ashanti Region, and in the East with the Upper Denkyira West District of the Central Region, and the Amansie East District in the Ashanti Region.

On the South and West, it is bordered by Wassa-Amefi and Sefwi Wiawso Districts in the Western Region.

The team immobilized 85 changfans, 19 industrial water pumping machines, 8 excavators, 15 washing plants and seized other mining equipment.

Suspects and items seized have been handed over to the Atakyem Police at Dunkwa-on-Offin for further investigations and possible prosecution.

The various FOBs continued with operations at illegal mining sites within their area of responsibility.

Ashanti FOB conducted operations to illegal mining sites at Basaanso and Tontokrom in the Amansie West District. The FOB immobilized over 150 changfans, 5 washing plants and seized other mining equipment.

Eastern FOB on Thursday conducted operations to illegal mining sites at Asamama and Banso in the Atiwa District. One illegal miner was arrested and the FOB immobilized 10 changfans and two water pumping machines.

Western FOB on Friday conducted operations to illegal mining sites at Wassa Kumasi, the Amenfi East District. They arrested two Ghanaians, a Togolese, and seized one locally manufactured gun, eight cartridges, and immobilized 10 changfans , 5 water pumping machines and 4 washing plants.

Suspects and items seized were sent to Wassa Akropong Police Station for further investigation and possible prosecution.

On Saturday June 16th 2018, Central FOB conducted operations to illegal mining sites within the general area of Breman and Treposo in the Upper Denkyira West District.

The FOB immobilized 7 change fans , 4 water pumping machines and 3 washing plants.