Three Chinese illegal miners operating in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve in the Aowin Municipality of the Western North Region, have been arrested together with three Ghanaian accomplices.
The six people were arrested after a successful operation led by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Martha Kwayie Manu, and the Western North regional forestry manager.
To carry on with the illegal mining, the arrested person per reports had cleared a large portion of the Tano Numeri forest reserve leading to the destruction of the vegetation of the area.
During the arrest, three pump action guns, a Nissan 4×4 pick up and other items were retrieved from the miners.
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Martha Kwayie Manu explained to journalists how the miners were arrested.
“We got the hint on July 4 but at the time they hadn’t moved their equipment to the site. So we were following them closely and doing everything possible to stop them from engaging in the illicit activity but due to their obstinacy, they forced themselves into the area.”
She intimated that the suspects have been handed to the Regional Police Headquarters in Sehwi Wiawso and would be arraigned before court Wednesday, August 17, 2022.
Not that withstanding, Madam Kwayie Manu advised persons operating illegally in the forest reserves to put an end to their activities as the commission is set to hunt for them soon.
