The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has arrested a suspected financier of illegal mining activities during an anti-galamsey operation in the Ahanta West Municipality of the Western Region.
The arrest followed an alleged attempt by the suspect to bribe taskforce officers with GH¢20,000 to stop the seizure of two excavators retrieved from illegal mining sites within the Cape Three Points Forest Reserve.
The operation, conducted in the early hours of Saturday at about 8:00 a.m., also resulted in the destruction of illegal mining structures and equipment after officers uncovered extensive environmental degradation in the protected forest area.
The suspect, identified as Bright Mensah, who reportedly claimed ownership of the excavators, was arrested together with four other suspected illegal miners.
All five suspects have been handed over to the Abura Police Station in the Agona Nkwanta District to assist with ongoing investigations. The suspect’s pickup vehicle was also seized as part of the operation.