A joint team from the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has raided an illegal mining site at Bisasi in the Ayensuano District of the Eastern Region, leading to the arrest of a well-known galamsey operator accused of blocking and contaminating the Ayensu River.
The operation, carried out on November 9, was made public by environmental journalist Erastus Asare Donkor of the Multimedia Group, who shared details of the incident in a Facebook post.
According to Mr. Donkor, the suspect, described as a “notorious galamsey kingpin,” confronted the taskforce at the site while armed with a pistol.
In an attempt to evade arrest, he allegedly offered the officers a GH¢100,000 bribe, which they rejected.
The team proceeded with the operation, confiscating the cash and mining equipment before shutting down the illegal site.
Officials say the mining activities had severely polluted the Ayensu River, posing serious risks to nearby communities and aquatic life.
The suspect is currently in police custody assisting with investigations, while environmental experts assess the full extent of the damage caused to the river and its surroundings.
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