12 suspected illegal miners remanded after Forestry Commission swoop in Bosomtwe Forest Reserve

Twelve suspected illegal miners have been arrested following a two-day anti-galamsey operation by the Bekwai Forest District of the Forestry Commission in the Bosomtwe Range Forest Reserve in the Ashanti Region.

During the operation, the Forestry Commission seized and immobilised an excavator, a tricycle, seven Changfan machines, 21 water pumping machines, two power plants, two power generators and an air blower believed to have been used for illegal mining activities.

Meanwhile, the Forestry Commission said a suspected kingpin, identified as Abena Ahenkan, who is believed to be behind one of the illegal mining groups, escaped during the operation and is currently being sought by authorities.