One Chinese National has been arrested over involvement in illegal activities popularly known as galamsey at the Anwianso East Forest reserve under Bibiani District Forest Services Division in the Western North region.
The arrest came after a team of Forestry personnel, organised from various sections of the Region within the Forestry Commission on Friday, July 5, 2024 visited Galamsey sites within the Anhwiaso East forest reserve.
The Chinese national was arrested alongside two excavators machines while over Twenty (20) suspects are on the run.
According to the report, three machines were at site but they managed to immobilise two of the machines at the time of the operation.
The Chinese national has been handed over to the Bibiani police command for further investigation.
Elvisanokyenews.com earlier reported that Sefwi Anhwiaso Traditional Authority calls for reinforcement to fight illegal miners since the Anhwiaso East forest reserve is in serious destruction as a result of galamsey activities.
It would be recalled that there was a recent outcry about illegal miners evading the manse community portion of the Anwianso Forest Reserve, compartment 83 for the illegal mining activities, and were heavily protected by military officers. It is based on this among several reports on the illegal mining activities from the Bibiani Forest District that this operation was carried out.
We will appeal to the military top hierarchy to investigate the purported Military officers guiding this particular galamsey site and the officers brought to book. It would also be recalled that the same Military officers, after a similar operation, went to the Bibiani District office to verbally attack the staff last month.
It could be recalled that the Manse Chief, including eight(8) galamsey operators, were arrested at the same site in 2023 but none of the suspects were prosecuted.
The authorities are appealing to the Police Commander in the Western North Region to expedite action on the prosecution of the arrested suspects to serve as a deterrent to others.
Source: Elvisanokyenews.com
