Western Region: 9 Suspects Arrested, 3 Excavators And Weapons Retrieved

In another anti-galamsey operation in the Western Region, the Ghana Police Service captured nine additional suspects and recovered three excavators and three pump action rifles.

According to a post on the Service’s social media handle, the arrest was carried out in the wee hours of 9th September 2022.

Six Ghanaians and three Chinese nationals are reportedly among the suspects.

Five Chinese nationals were detained by the Service on September 8 in connection with the disappearance of the Ellembelle excavators.

This was done through “a special police operation conducted between the night of 7th September till the dawn of 8th September 2022,” the statement said. Their arrest follows the retrieval of one of the excavators.

The District Chief Executive (DCE) of Ellembelle, Kwasi Bonzo, was previously detained as a result of the event. He was accused of attacking the police with a group of thugs during the operation to recover the excavator.

Five counts have already been brought against Mr Bonzo, according to Salome Erica Abakah, his attorney. He will be accused of assault, conspiring to conduct assault, and resisting arrest, according to her.

He and his accomplices were supposed to appear before the Takoradi Circuit Court on Thursday, September 8, but the case was not called.

However, he has been given bail while his goons are still being held by the police.

Investigations are still going on in the meantime.