A Circuit Court sitting in Koforidua has remanded twelve foreign nationals into police custody following their arrest for alleged ecological crimes. According to reports from Starr FM and Citi Newsroom the group was apprehended by the anti galamsey taskforce while operating within a protected forest reserve. The prosecution stated that the individuals were found using heavy machinery to extract minerals without any valid mining permits or legal authorization from the Minerals Commission.
The suspects were intercepted during a coordinated operation by the taskforce tasked with protecting forest areas from environmental degradation. Documents presented in court indicate that the twelve individuals are non residents who allegedly entered the gold rich zones of the Eastern Region to conduct unauthorized surface mining. Starr FM reports that the taskforce seized several pieces of equipment during the raid including excavators and water pumps used in the washing of minerals.
During the court proceedings the prosecution requested more time to conclude investigations and verify the immigration status of each suspect. Adom News reports that the presiding judge denied bail at this stage citing the gravity of the environmental damage and the potential flight risk of the foreign nationals involved. The identities and specific nationalities of all twelve suspects remain under verification by the Ghana Immigration Service according to local police statements.
The Eastern Regional Police Command through various media channels confirmed that the suspects will remain in custody until their next scheduled court appearance. The Ghana Police Service indicated that it is working with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to assess the extent of the ecological impact caused by the illegal operation. The accused persons have not yet entered formal pleas to the charges which include conspiracy to commit a crime and mining without a license.