A specialised police operations team has apprehended three individuals in Winneba, located within the Effutu Municipality of the Central Region, for their involvement in illegal mining activities (galamsey).

The suspects, identified by law enforcement as Eugene Oppong, 28, Paul Kumasah, 30, and Amos Beyuo, 25, were caught directly at the active operation site during an early morning raid.

GWL Complaint Triggers Operation

The targeted sweep by the Central Regional Police Command was initiated after the Central Regional Directorate of Ghana Water Limited (GWL) lodged a formal complaint.

GWL officials reported that illegal mining operations were encroaching directly upon and compromising the utility company's primary water distribution lines in the Winneba area.

During the morning crackdown, several other miners managed to escape. According to a police statement, a number of illegal operators fled the scene upon spotting the advancing officers, abandoning their machinery.

Equipment Seized and Destroyed

Security forces managed to recover a significant cache of mining tools from the location, including:

- 19 water pumping machines equipped with water hoses

- 4 washing carpets (used for gold panning)

- 7 cutlasses

- 1 wheelbarrow

Police authorities confirmed that the heavy equipment and structures that could not be logistically extracted from the site were immediately immobilised and set ablaze to prevent further illicit operations.

The three captured suspects remain in police custody to assist law enforcement with ongoing investigations.