The Accra High Court has remanded 41 individuals into police custody following their arrest by law enforcement authorities during a raid on illegal miners at Samreboi in the Western Region, over their alleged involvement in illegal mining activities within forest reserves.

The 41 individuals were apprehended during two separate police operations conducted on different dates, April 17, 2025, and April 18, 2025, at the Tano River and Subri River respectively.

The remanded suspects include approximately eight Chinese nationals, four women, and several local individuals.

According to GHOne TV, their pleas were not taken during the court proceedings.

The High Court has directed the lawyers representing the remanded suspects to file their respective bail applications by April 24, 2025, with the prosecution expected to respond by April 28, 2025.

Meanwhile, they are expected to reappear before the court on May 2, 2025, for further proceedings.

On April 22, 2025, the Ghana Police Service recorded significant progress in its ongoing fight against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, following a recent reshuffle of commanders in mining-prone regions.

In a renewed anti-galamsey effort spearheaded by Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, the Service reshuffled key divisional and district commanders in parts of the Eastern South, Western, and Western North Police Regions.

In a related operation, a major breakthrough was achieved during a four-day intelligence-led anti-galamsey mission launched on April 17, 2025, in the Samreboi enclave of the Western Region.

The operation targeted illegal mining activities along the Tano River and in the Aboi, Subri, and Nimiri forest areas.

In a statement, the service revealed that "A total of 47 suspects were arrested, including 39 Ghanaians, 8 Chinese nationals, and four women."

According to the police, "All suspects are currently in custody and will be processed through the legal system."

Items retrieved during the operation include:

Seventeen (17) excavators

One (1) bulldozer

Four (4) motorbikes

Two (2) Toyota Hilux vehicles

One (1) Toyota RAV4 vehicle

Four (4) pump-action guns

One (1) single-barrel gun

Fifty-four (54) live BB cartridges

Eight (8) water pumping machines

The Police Service reiterated its commitment to sustaining the pressure on illegal mining operations, which continue to devastate the country’s environment and water bodies.

The IGP has also assured the public that no individual or group involved in illegal mining will be spared, regardless of status or nationality.



MAG/MA

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