The Sekondi High Court on Monday morning refused bail for the five Chinese nationals and their five Ghanaian counterparts for engaging in illegal mining, reports Graphic Online’s Akwasi Ampratwum Mensah.
The 10 illegal miners were busted in an operation by the Western Regional Police Command around the Ankobra river in the Western Region during their mining for gold.
They were spotted digging in the river Ankobra in two communities, Bamiankor and Duwale both in the western region.
The swoop was embarked upon following a tip off received from an informant.
The Chinese suspects included; Dong Cheng 30, Hung Jian 51, Ning Guorui 42, Yin Biquiang 46, Li Zilong 44. While the five Ghanaians are Eric Owusu 28, Kwabena Adjei 50, Nana Adu 42, Kwasi Owusu 28 and Kofi Darko 21.
The police also seized mining equipment used for the operations.
Investigations revealed that whilst some Chinese nationals were engaged in the illegal mining activities, others were involved in renting out equipment for the nefarious act.
The court was unable to hear the case on Monday because of the language barrier, and therefore adjourned for an interpreter to present at the next hearing date.
Below are photos of the accused persons in court in Monday
..more to follow
By: Graphic Online
