The chief of Manse, Nana Kwame Sobre II, and nine others have been arrested for their alleged involvement in illegal mining.
The suspects were apprehended by the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) of the Forestry Commission on November 29.
The special operation was to eliminate illegal mining activities linked to influential political figures and traditional leaders in the Manse area of the Anhwiaso East Forest Reserve, near Diaso in the Bibiani Forest District of the Western North Region.
During the operation, the RRU dismantled two excavators and two heavy-duty generator plants at the illegal mining site.
The nine others are Osman Shaibu, Nana Kwasi, Desmond Nkrumah, Abraham Donko, Frank Mensa, Richard Kurofi, Patrick Ayambila, Abdul Salam, and Rasad Nuoeeikaa.
During interrogation, the suspects claimed that Chief Nana Kwame Sobre II introduced them to the illegal mining business.
The suspects are currently in custody at the Dunkwa Police Station.
The Coordinator of the Rapid Response Unit, Samuel Darko Akonnor, emphasized the Forestry Commission’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation’s forest, wildlife resources, and water bodies.