A routine anti-illegal mining patrol turned violent on Wednesday August 13, 2025, when members of the Inspector General of Police's Special Anti-Galamsey Task Force clashed with armed locals at Bonteso, leading to the arrest of an assemblyman and three others.
The incident occurred at about 11:30 AM when the taskforce spotted an excavator actively engaged in illegal mining within a pit, causing severe environmental destruction.
As the team moved to seize the machine, the assemblyman for the area, identified as Patrick Asare, allegedly mobilised a group of illegal miners to resist the operation.
Witnesses and police reports indicate the miners pelted stones and other objects at the officers, openly threatening bloodshed and daring the team to remove the excavator.
