The Eastern Regional Operation Vanguard team has arrested 32 illegal miners, popularly known as galamseyers, at a village called Okagya, near Kwabeng in the Atiwa District, about 12.30am for mining without permit while on duty patrol.
The suspects arrested last week are Godwin Fianu, Yaw Forson, Fuseini Sulley, Ali Seidu, Zandia Akolugo, Akomea Boateng, Emmanuel Owusu, Tormenu Eric, Francis Portufe, Muniru Fuseini, Camping Mohammed and Kwasi Ali.
The rest are Kofi Frimpong, Amartey Gideon, Haruna Iddrisu, Charles Asumang, Samuel Yeboah, Kofi Adjei, Desmond Nana Agyemang, Kwadwo Nsiah, Kofi Agyemang and Kwabena Kwateng.
The others are Ofori Kwame, Lawrence Boateng, Daniel Teye, Francis Mensah, Isaac Mensah, Yaw Amoateng, Kofi Osei, Naba Tia and Aboagye Agyemang.
Deputy Eastern Regional Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Ghana Police Service, Inspector Gideon Boateng, who disclosed this to Adom News said the team retrieved 20 pumping machines, three water holes, one grease gun, one carpet, two head pans and a locally manufactured rifle with three live cartridges from the site.
He added the suspects are in police custody while the exhibits are in the custody of the Vanguard team.