The Eastern South Regional Police Command has dealt a significant blow to illegal mining (galamsey) operations in the Birim North District, arresting 38 suspects during a precision, intelligence-led raid on the outskirts of Ntoranang.
The operation, which targeted a sophisticated galamsey setup hidden within a palm plantation, has uncovered the deepening involvement of foreign nationals and minors in the illicit trade.
The tactical sweep occurred on Friday, 27th February 2026, between the hours of 10:00 am and 1:00 pm, as officers moved to dismantle an active mining site that had been operating under the cover of dense agricultural vegetation.
The Regional Command has confirmed that all 38 suspects remain in police custody to facilitate ongoing interrogations. Investigators are reportedly looking into the kingpins behind the Ntoranang operation, as the scale of equipment suggests significant financial backing.
“All 38 suspects are currently in custody, assisting with investigations and are expected to be arraigned before the court on Monday, March 2, 2026, for prosecution,” a police statement confirmed.
Security officials revealed a troubling demographic breakdown of those taken into custody. Of the 38 individuals arrested, nearly half are foreign nationals, highlighting the international dimensions of the illegal mining surge in the Eastern Region.
Nationality: 17 suspects are Burkinabe nationals, while the remaining 21 are Ghanaians.
Vulnerable Populations: Most alarmingly, nine of the suspects are juveniles, aged between just 13 and 17 years.
The presence of children at the site has sparked fresh concerns regarding child labour and the exploitation of minors in high-risk environmental crimes.
The police did not only focus on personnel but moved to permanently disable the site’s operational capacity. Intelligence had suggested that the miners were using high-powered machinery to wash gold within the plantation, leading to significant soil and water degradation.
Officers on the scene successfully seized and subsequently destroyed a vast array of illegal mining items, including:
Water pumping machines used for high-pressure washing.
Industrial power plants providing electricity to the remote site.
Extensive networks of water hoses.
Multiple makeshift shelters that served as living quarters for the workforce.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
