The Western Forward Operating Base (FOB West) has arrested two Chinese nationals at Bredi in the Amenfi Central District of the Western Region, Friday.

The two suspects – Liq Zing Xeon, 52 and Me Quo Wei, 48 - were arrested at a site at Bredi for engaging in galamsey.

The Team seized two excavators, two engines, a washing machine, 13 3nchanfans and four water pumps.

The seized items and suspects have been handed over to the Agona Police Station for further investigations for possible prosecution.

Operation Vanguard thanked the general public for giving them information to flush out recalcitrant illegal miners, including foreigners.

They called on the public to keep the information coming through the various media houses within their locations. 

Meanwhile, the Eastern Forward Operating Base (FOB) of Operation Vanguard has also arrested, on the same day, eight illegal miners at Amuano Prasso in the Birim North District of the Eastern Region.

The Team chanced on freshly dug soils with sounds from working chanfan machines. Three of the people arrested were on the Pra River with chanfans.

The Team ambushed and arrested a sponsor of the illegal miners called Nana Baffour, 46-year-old.

Again, the suspects and items seized have been handed over to the New Abirem District Police station for further investigation for possible prosecution.

Other suspects include; Benjamin Nsiah 23 years, Adam Tamime 49 years, Nkrumah Robert 43 years, Daniel Mensah 29 years, Gado Timolda  32 years, Eric Kofi Boamah 38 years and Isaac Dadazie 28 years.

Items seized by the Team include two excavators, 1 Mitsubishi Pick-up with registration number GE 3885 – 14, one Nissan Almera Vehicle with registration number GT 4239 – 13 and other mining equipment.