A group of fifteen foreign nationals appeared before a Cape Coast Circuit Court on charges related to illegal mining popularly known as galamsey. The arrests follow a coordinated operation by security forces targeting individuals operating along the Pra River. According to a report by 3News the group was apprehended while allegedly using dredging equipment and mercury to extract gold within restricted river boundaries.
The presiding judge Justice Priscilla Dikro ordered the suspects to be remanded into police custody until October 24 2024. Citi Newsroom reported that the prosecution requested additional time to finalize investigations and verify the immigration status of the accused individuals. The court heard that the suspects originate from various countries including China and Burkina Faso though their specific identities remain under verification by the Ghana Immigration Service.
Security agencies working under the Operation Halt initiative seized several items during the raid. According to a GhanaWeb report these items included water pumping machines and specialized gold washing equipment found at the site. The prosecution told the court that the activities of the suspects have contributed significantly to the turbidity of the Pra River which serves as a vital water source for communities in the Central Region.
Legal representatives for the accused individuals requested bail on the grounds that their clients would cooperate with the ongoing inquiry. However the prosecution opposed the application citing the risk of flight and the gravity of environmental crimes. The court ultimately denied the bail request and adjourned the proceedings to allow the state to file its formal witness statements as documented in the court records cited by regional news outlets.