UW/R: Police seize mining equipment in latest crackdown on galamsey

The Upper West Regional Police Command has arrested seven people. They seized mining equipment and unregistered vehicles near Dorimon in the Wa West District.

This operation took place on Thursday, April 10. It focused on illegal mining along the Black Volta River at Chiantanga. This area has faced environmental issues due to small-scale mining.

The police released a statement signed by DCOP Nii Danto Offei Lomotey. The suspects are Sabugu Razak, Ibrahim Zuberu, Alex Amedzake, John Cobblah, Promise Dufe, Angelina Akpese, and Rebecca Tumawu.

During the operation, police recovered ten Changfang machines used for alluvial mining. They also found two unregistered PNE and Apsonic tricycles and a motorbike with registration numbers M-24-NR 6010 and M-23-UW 4413.

Additionally, they confiscated two unregistered Haojue and Apsonic motorbikes. Six student mattresses were also taken from the site. This suggests that the suspects may have camped there during their operations.

The suspects are now in police custody and assisting with investigations. They are expected to appear in court soon.

The Regional Police Command is committed to fighting illegal mining activities in the region. Illegal mining threatens water bodies, farmlands, and community health across Ghana.

The Black Volta River is crucial for many communities in the Upper West Region. Unregulated mining activities pollute this water source and harm local ecosystems.