Police arrest 208, seize 99 excavators in nationwide anti-galamsey operations

The Ghana Police Service has intensified its crackdown on illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, with a total of 208 suspects arrested and 99 excavators retrieved across multiple regions since March 2025, according to an official statement released by the Service.

The operations, which form part of a nationwide strategy to curb environmental degradation caused by illegal mining, have taken place in key mining hotspots, particularly in the Western, Upper West, Eastern South, Western Central, and Eastern North Regional Police Commands.

In a special anti-galamsey operation conducted in Samreboi, along the Tano River, Wassa Dunkwa, Tigarikrom, and surrounding communities in the Western Region, the Police arrested 58 suspects, including 50 Ghanaians and 8 Chinese nationals. A total of 85 excavators and 3 bulldozers were recovered from the sites.

Breakdowns from other Regional Police Commands include:

• Western Region: 19 suspects arrested; 3 excavators and 3 pump-action guns retrieved.

• Upper West Region: 7 Ghanaians arrested; 11 changfangs and 3 motorbikes seized.

• Eastern South Region: 24 suspects, including 1 Burkinabe, arrested; 5 excavators, 3 single-barrel guns, and 1 pump-action gun recovered.

• Western Central Region: 85 suspects arrested (76 Ghanaians, 9 Chinese); 11 excavators and additional exhibits retrieved.

• Eastern North Region: 15 suspects, including 1 Chinese, arrested; 4 excavator control boards, 9 monitors, and 1 pistol seized.
  

  

In total, police retrieved 99 excavators, 3 bulldozers, 4 pump-action guns, 3 single-barrel guns, 1 pistol, 11 changfangs, and several other items including vehicles, motorbikes, tricycles, generators, gold detectors, and pumping machines.

All suspects are currently undergoing due legal processes.

The Ghana Police Service in the statement, reaffirmed its commitment to fighting illegal mining and protecting the nation’s natural resources, urging the public to support ongoing efforts to preserve the environment.