Police intensify crackdown on illegal mining: 208 suspects arrested, 99 excavators retrieved

The Ghana Police Service has intensified its nationwide operations against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, resulting in the arrest of 208 suspects and the retrieval of 99 excavators and a host of other mining equipment between March and April 2025.

The clampdown, which targeted major illegal mining hotspots, saw significant operations conducted in the Western, Western Central, Eastern South, Eastern North, and Upper West Regions.

In a major operation led by the Police Anti-Galamsey Taskforce at Samreboi along the Tano River, Wassa Dunkwa, Tigarikrom and nearby communities in the Western Region, 58 suspects were arrested, including 50 Ghanaians and 8 Chinese nationals.

Authorities also retrieved 85 excavators and 3 bulldozers during this raid.

Other regional operations recorded the following:

• Western Region: 19 suspects were arrested and 3 excavators and 3 pump-action guns were retrieved.

• Upper West Region: 7 Ghanaian suspects were picked up, with the police recovering 11 changfangs and 3 motorbikes among other equipment.

• Eastern South Region: 24 suspects, including one Burkinabe, were apprehended. The operation also led to the seizure of 5 excavators, 3 single-barrel guns, and 1 pump-action gun.

• Western Central Region: 85 suspects were arrested, comprising 76 Ghanaians and 9 Chinese nationals. The team retrieved 11 excavators and various mining tools.

• Eastern North Region: 15 suspects, including one Chinese national, were taken into custody.

  
  

  Police recovered 4 excavator control boards, 9 monitors, and 1 pistol, along with other mining-related items.

In total, police operations led to the confiscation of:

• 99 excavators

• 3 bulldozers

• 4 pump-action guns

• 3 single-barrel guns

• 1 pistol

• 11 changfangs

• Numerous other exhibits including vehicles, motorbikes, tricycles, generators, gold detectors, and pumping machines

All suspects are currently undergoing due legal processes.

The Ghana Police Service has reiterated its unwavering commitment to combating illegal mining and safeguarding the country’s natural resources.

The Service further assured the public that such operations will be sustained in collaboration with other state agencies to protect the environment and uphold the rule of law.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith