The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, this week ordered a series of raids on illegal mining towns notorious for glaring Galamsey done in settlements and close to major highways in the Western, Ashanti and Central regions.

38 suspects have been arrested in separate raids on Wassa Dadieso, Wassa Gyapa, Akrokerri, Diaso and Huniso near Tarkwa.

One police operation was conducted at Huniso near Tarkwa in the Western region.

13 suspects were arrested and have since been remanded by the Tarkwa Circuit court to reappear on 6th June.

Police also raided another illegal mining operation inside settlements at Akrokerri close to Obuasi in the Ashanti region.

They were engaged in blasting using explosives, destroying the land and property belonging to the Asare Bediako Senior High School.

By order from the IGP, Ashanti South Regional Police Commander ACP Joseph Nyaaba led a team of police officers to the mining site about 200 metres from the school.

The police arrested nine suspects who were seen busily working at the site.

On 29th May, the IGP ordered a raid on mining sites within the Dunkwaw town at Dunkwaw-On-Offin.

Led by Supol Mr. David Ashong, the Dunkwa-On-Offin Divisional Commander, ASP/Mr. Emmanuel Bruce Dunkwa-On-Offin FPU Base Commander, and twenty other ranks, the team arrested two miners, Samuel Ankamah and Daniel Agyeman, who were operating excavators along River Offin. The two and the excavators are in the custody of the Dunkwaw police pending investigations.

A similar raid was conducted at Wassa Dadieso, a town notorious for deep excavations in illegal mining within homes and along highways.

Led by Chief Superintendent Mr. William Jabialu, the Wassa Akropong District Police Commander, the team, comprising 9 Senior Police Officers (SPOs) and 73 personnel, targeted illegal miners operating along the highways.

The raid started from Wassa-Dadieso, a major hub for illegal mining activities.

Police escalated the operation to Wassa-Gyapa, another illegal mining hub.

During the operation, the police destroyed and set ablaze over 135 chanfan machines, seized one motorbike arrested six (6) illegal miners despite the challenging muddy terrain.

Another raid occurred on the 29th of May at Ebenezer, a suburb of Diaso in the Upper Denkyira West District. Police arrested eight illegal mining suspects and seized one excavator and other tools.

The suspects are all in police custody, assisting in investigations pending their arraignment before a court.