The Nkosuohene of Minti, a small community in the Bosome Freho District of the Ashanti region, and four others have been arrested for illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, in the Bosomtwe Range Forest Reserve.

Nana Kwadwo Poku, 45, and the four others, Mohammed Martey, 30, Kwame Signah, 33, Akwasi Amadu, 48, and Yaw George Asirifi, 41, were found in Compartment 30 of the reserve mining with an excavator and other equipment.

The local chief was found to have led the destruction of sizable green portion of the reserve.

One motorbike, a power plant, an air blower fuel tank found in the forest have been burnt.

The suspects and the equipment impounded have been handed over to the police.

Illegal miners are creeping into the Bosome Freho District in areas like Asiwa, where galamsey is done along major roads.

The Forestry Commission Management team and the Rapid Response unit which conducted the operation say they are bent on enforcing forest protection laws.