Five illegal miners, including three Chinese nationals, have been arrested along River Fum in Assin Ayitey, located in the Assin North District of the Central Region.

The suspects are currently in the custody of the Central North Police Command’s Anti-Galamsey Taskforce.

They have been identified as Duut Kwabena Sakakba, 38, Douglas Nyamekye, 36, Ma Jian, 37 (Chinese), Ma Young, 31 (Chinese), and Ma Haibi, 54 (Chinese).

Reports indicate that their illegal mining activities have caused severe pollution of the river, which serves as a crucial water source for the surrounding communities.

The suspects are awaiting court proceedings, as confirmed by a statement from the Central North Regional Police Command. During the operation, two excavators with chassis numbers SY 6HK1-XABEA-01-C3 and SWE365E00762 were seized.

The operators of these excavators fled the scene upon seeing the police task force, taking the ignition keys with them.

Additionally, a Toyota Hilux with registration number GE-2743-13 was impounded at the site.

The police are working to transport the excavators to a secure location and are tracking the owners of the equipment to make further arrests.