Four Chinese persons on Wednesday appeared before Takoradi Circuit Court “B” for allegedly possessing mercury without license and illegal mining. They are Xu Xiao, Tang Jian, Tang Lin He and Yang Xian.

Their pleas were not taken and they were remanded to re-appear on February 7 this year.

Prosecuting, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Richard Bortey, said the Western Regional Police received information that some foreigners and local people were engaged in illegal mining activities at Wassa Akropong.

He said on December 21 last year, a joint team of Police and Military launched an operation at Wassa Akropong to bring those involved in the illegal mining to book.

ASP Bortey said the accused persons were arrested during the operation and a number of items were seized at the mining sites and their permanent places of abode.

The items included a Kanka television set, domestic and industrial cylinders, one chainsaw machine, a pair of military uniform, three unserviceable walkie-talkie and 11 mobile phones.

The rest were 169 empty cartridges, 19 AAA live cartridges, 176 live BBB cartridges, one Toyota Pick-Up, two double-barrel pump action guns, five gold ingots, an excavator and personal effects. ASP Bortey said the accused claimed ownership of the items and after further investigations, they were charged.