The three Chinese and the five Ghanaians arrested at Prestea Huni Valley
The Joint Task Force (JTF) of Operation Vanguard (OV) has arrested four Chinese nationals for engaging in illegal mining activities also called ‘galamsey.’
Three out of the four were arrested on June 19, 2018 at a ‘galamsey’ site at Esansi in the Prestea/Huni Valley District of the Western Region.
The names of the three Chinese were given as Wei Chan, 55, Lin Chao, 30 and Lin Chintong, 21.
Five Ghanaians who were also engaged in illegal mining activities on the site were also apprehended.
Their names were given as Appiah Dankwah, 23, Samuel Baba, 39 Adingo Azuma, 20, Mohammed Mustapha, 30 and Atia Yendo, 30.
The fourth Chinese illegal miner was arrested at Ampaabena in the Upper Denkyira West District of the Central Region on Wednesday, June 20, 2018.
According to sources, as the taskforce was getting closer to the illegal mining site, the ‘galamseyers’ bolted, leaving behind the Chinese national.
The suspected Chinese ‘galamseyer’ was identified as Lee Hancheng.
Squadron Leader Robinson Omane Boamah confirmed that the three Chinese were arrested together with five Ghanaian collaborators at an illegal mining site at Ensasi in the Prestea/Huni Valley District.
He mentioned some of the items seized at the site as Lingong excavator, a Sany excavator, water pumping machines, three motorbikes and a benz truck.
The taskforce also retrieved two washing plants and four changfans and added that the items were also immobilised.
He indicated that the suspects and all the items had been handed over to the Prestea Police Station for further investigations.
He disclosed that the seized excavator had been handed over to the Prestea/Huni Valley Municipal Assembly.
“In the Upper Denkyira West District the Joint Task Force seized two excavators, six car batteries and a Kia Sportage with registration number GN 1856-13,” he revealed.
Squadron Leader Omane-Boamah indicated that the suspects and all the seized items had been handed over to the Atekyem Police in Dunkwa-on-Offin.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi