Circuit court in Tarkwa has granted GHS 40,000 bail to Emmanuel Kwofie, driver and Samuel Agormedah, an illegal miner for having in their possession dredging materials, which are mounted in water bodies to prospect for gold.

The two accused persons who pleaded not guilty were each given a bail of GHS 20,000 and would re-appear before the court on March 20.

Prosecuting Police Detective Chief Inspector Oscar Amponsah told the court presided over by Samuel Obeng Diawuo that the complainant is a Police man stationed at Prestea and currently on attachment at Bogoso as the Station Officer, while the accused persons reside at Himan in the Prestea Huni/Valley District.

Detective Amponsah said around 1800 hours on March 6, the complainant was returning from Bogoso to Prestea after work, and when he got to Ankobrah a suburb of Prestea, he spotted a Hyundai Mighty tipper truck with registration number AS 4167-13 loaded with dredging materials.

He said due to the fact that some people are using the illegal mining materials to pollute water bodies in the Western Region, he intercepted the vehicle and called for re-enforcement leading to the arrest of the accused persons.

Detective Amponsah said in their cautioned statement Kwofie denied any wrong doing but the second accused person admitted offense.