The Kyebi Divisional Police Command has arrested nine people after they invaded the Samang Dwaso portion of the Atewa Forest Reserve in the Eastern Region to engage in illegal mining (galamsey).
They were rounded up by a 13-member forestry guard team who chanced on them during field monitoring activities.
According to the Kyebi District Forestry Manager, Emmanuel Antwi, who confirmed the news, the illegal miners had pitched camp within the forest reserve.
He said the team noticed that more than 0.5 hectares of the forest reserve had been destroyed by the illegal miners who had dug several trenches.
Mr Antwi said the suspects would be put before the court on Wednesday.
This arrest comes just days after the Kyebi District Office of the Forestry Commission arrested 10 illegal miners operating within the Asiakwa portion of the Atewa Forest Reserve in the Abuakwa South Municipality on Friday, February 2, 2022.
The commission had also set ablaze an excavator and some mining equipment belonging to illegal miners who had invaded the Segyimase portion of the Atewa forest reserve a few days prior.
Mr Emmanuel Antwi stressed that the commission would stop at nothing but ensure the prosecution of all encroachers.