A raid by the Ghana Police Service has led to the arrest of nine persons who were caught engaging in illegal mining activities at a mining site in Adansi North, allegedly protected by some National Security operatives.

The arrests reportedly followed intelligence gathered by the police regarding the alleged involvement of youths in illegal mining activities in Akatakyieso, Adansi North.

Speaking on the arrests with JoyNews, on May 6, 2025, the Deputy Regional Police Commander for Ashanti South, Chief Superintendent Cephas Arthur, confirmed that illegal mining activities were ongoing at the site.

He stated that an investigation into the matter has began, but the identities of the arrested individuals have yet to be verified. As such, he could not confirm whether any of those arrested were operatives of the National Security.

“For the time being we cannot say they are National Security operatives. We have now commenced an investigation, and as part of it, we take people’s identities,s including what they do and other things. To the best of our knowledge, some (arrested persons) were mining per our information, but that is also subject to further investigation,” he said.

According to the Ashanti Regional Security Liaison, Captain (Retired) John Kwame Jabari, the site was raided following a rise in crime in the area, as well as, questionable mode of operation at the site.

“They don’t have all the requisite license to operate here. What sparked our interest is the use of illicit drugs and the crime rate here. Their mode of operation, the hazard it poses to them as miners got our interest,” he said as quoted by JoyNews.

Police investigations are ongoing to determine the alleged involvement of National Security personnel in the mining operations in the area.

MAG/VPO

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