The anti-galamsey task force, Operation Vanguard last week arrested 18 illegal miners along the Ayanfuri-Bibiani road.
The operations were led by the Commander Operation Vanguard, Col. Michael Amoah Ayisi involved personnel from Ashanti, Central and Eastern Forward Operating Bases (FOB). The operation, which started on Thursday 14 June 2018 lasted to the early hours of Friday 15 June 2018.
[contextly_sidebar id=”ZBmkouaPDy8IwN1jjydCG28gqGKbctha”]Some of the communities the operations were carried through include; Ayanfuri, Brofoyedu, Abora, Breman, Treposo, Dominase, Adaboe, Diaso all in Upper Denkyira West District of the Central Region.
The team also extended the operations to illegal mining sites in Bibiani Awaso in Sewfi Bibiani-Anhwaiso-Bekwai District of the Western Region. The District shares boundaries with Atwima District in the Ashanti Region and the East with the Upper Denkyira West district of the Central Region and the Amansei East District in the Ashanti Region. On the South and West, it is bordered respectively by Wassa-Amefi and Sefwi Wiawso District in the Western Region
The team immobilised 85 changfans, 19 industrial water pumping machines, eight excavators, 15 washing plants and seized other mining equipment. Suspects and items taken have been handed over to the Atakyem Police station in 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 immobilised over 150 changfans, five washing plants and seized other mining equipment.
Eastern FOB on Thursday, 14 June 2018 conducted operations to illegal mining sites at Asamama and Banso in the Atiwa District. One illegal miner was arrested, and the FOB immobilised ten changfans, two water pumping machines.
Western FOB on Friday, 15 June 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, immobilised ten changfans, five water pumping machines, and four washing plants. Suspects and items seized were sent to Wassa Akropong Police Station for further investigation and possible prosecution.
On Saturday 16 June 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 immobilised seven changfans, four water pumping machines and three washing plants.
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By: Obrempong Yaw Ampofo/citinewsroom.com/Ghana