Fifteen illegal miners operating within the Upper Denkyira East District of the Central Region have been arrested by a combined anti-galamsey taskforce.

They have been handed over to the Police.

A total of 123 gold washing machines and 51 dredging boats which were seized by the task force have been burnt.

Addressing journalists in Cape Coast Wednesday, Central Regional Police Commander, COP Rev. Nenyi Ampah Benin said the 15 who have been conducting their illegal activity on the Offinso River day and night were arrested by the taskforce in conjunction with the Police.

The included Bright Sor 28; Francis Sor, 28; Charles Mensah, 28; Richard Mensah, 26; Emmanuel Mpriam, 33; Isaac Mpriam, 31; Kwame Gyan, 30 and Amu Godwin, 27.

“These people will be put before court this week,” the Commander said. He said the Central Region will soon inaugurate its Operation Vanguard in conjunction with Dunkwa-on- Offin Operation Stop Galamsey Taskforce to stop illegal mining activities in the area.

COP Ampah Benin commended the effort by the Dunkwa Offin Small Scale Miners Associations, especially their Kumasi branch for their efforts, and assured them of the Police readiness to work with them to end illegal mining activities in the areas.

The Public Relation Officer of Dunkwa-On- Offin Operation Stop Galamsey Taskforce, Ben Annan explained that their task force is aimed at flushing out illegal miners who are still operating within the River and land.

“We want to help the government to solve the problems of this pollution and the achievement of our operations could only be sustained if we are allowed to resume our mining activities immediately,” he said. He appealed to the government to remove the moratorium on small-scale mining in the country.