The Western Regional Police Command has arrested 27 Chinese for engaging in illegal mining activities at Kutukrom, Sika ne Asem and Tumantu villages.

Mr. Ransford Ninson, the Regional Police Command, disclosed at a press briefing at Sekondi on Friday.

He said the suspects were arrested while busily working in the Ankobra River for gold and that their machines and working tools have been seized.

Mr. Ninson said 18 of the suspects were arrested at Tumantu and items found on them included three pump action raffles with four pieces of BB live cartridges, two walkie talkies, 19 chinese passports, four mobile phones and one metal safe.

He said the suspects would be put before a High Court at Sekondi to be remanded to enable the Police to carry out further investigations.

Mr. Ninson appealed to investors to desist from mining in water bodies because the country’s laws do not allow people to mine 200 meters from water bodies.

He said mining companies should obtain license from the Minerals Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency before starting operations anywhere in the country.