Four more Chinese illegal miners arrested

The Eastern Regional Police Command has arrested four more Chinese nationals engaged in illegal mining.

The latest arrest brings the number to eight Chinese nationals arrested for engaging in illegal mining. They were arrested together with two Ghanaian accomplices at Denkyira near Nkawkaw in the Eastern region.

The first batch of suspects were arrested during an operation carried out by the Rapid Deployment Unit of the region led by Superintendent Richardson Kumeko, the outgoing New Juaben Municipal Police Commander on Thursday.

The suspects were later charged with mining without license, possessing explosive arms without authorization and conspiracy to commit crime.

The suspects have since been remanded by a Court to reappear on April 12, 2017 to allow police conduct further investigations.

The Police also retrieved four excavators, two pump action guns, 68 cartridges and three pumping machines.

Already, 29 foreigners including 25 Nigeriens, a Togolese, a Malian and Guinean were arrested by the forestry commission for illegally mining in the Atiwa Forest reserve in January 26, 2017 and are currently facing trial at the Koforidua Circuit Court.

According to the PRO of the Eastern regional Police Command, ASP Ebenezer Tetteh, the operation is in furtherance to the three week ultimatum issued to the illegal miners to terminate their operations.

He said, the Police is ready to terminate the activities of the illegal miners in fulfilment of the government’s vision.

He said, the Police Command is communicating with the Chinese Embassy and the Immigration service for deportation of the suspects.