Blue Water Guards at Prestea have launched a successful anti-galamsey operation near the Ankobra River in the Western Region.

Acting on an intelligence tip-off, the guards swooped into action near the Ankobra River at a site known as “Amponsah” in the Himan Community.

Upon sighting the guards, the illegal miners reportedly fled in haste, abandoning their illicit operations along the stretch.

The team, however, managed to seize eight pumping machines and destroyed some eight other chanfang machines.

Three other chanfangs sank in the river, with no casualties recorded.

The seized equipment was later sent to the Police station, while investigations and pursuit of the illegal miners continue.

The latest operational report from the Prestea Blue Water Guards adds to the tally of successful nationwide operations of the Blue Water Guards since its inauguration in March this year.

So far, the initiative has made many notable interventions in the government’s quest to deal with the illegal mining menace.

According to the Ministry, the operations of the Blue Water Guards represent a major step in its strategic approach to safeguard the country’s waterbodies and depleted land reserves.