In a sweeping crackdown on illegal mining across the Western Region, police have arrested a total of forty-four (44) suspects in a series of coordinated intelligence-led operations.
The Western Regional Police Command, as part of efforts to clamp down on galamsey activities, first stormed Wassa Amanten, where twenty-seven (27) individuals were arrested at various unauthorized mining sites.
The operation led to the seizure of one (1) tricycle, an unregistered Boxer motorbike, several water pumping machines, and a “changfan” machine, which was destroyed at the scene.
In a continuation of the crackdown, two separate operations were carried out on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at Adamaso and Wassa Mamieso — also hotbeds of illegal mining activity.
At Adamaso, twelve (12) individuals, including Abraham Antwi (26), Jeremiah Adusei (37), Eric Martey (41), and George Amoah (45), were apprehended. Five (5) water pumping machines were also confiscated.
Further east near the Mamie River in Wassa Mamieso, five (5) more suspects — Junior Simon (21), Stephen Tetteh (30), Samuel Kwarteng (19), Matthew Wofatey (20), and Seidu Ayigbe (30) — were arrested. Police retrieved a “Sunny Excavator 215 Control Board” as part of the operation.
The Western Regional Police Command says these raids are part of an intensified effort to combat illegal mining activities that continue to threaten the region’s environment and water bodies.
