Police in the Western North Region have cracked down on a group of five men posing as National Security operatives to extort money from illegal miners, residents, and site operators.
According to the Western North Regional Police Command, the suspects were arrested following intelligence reports that they had been conducting fake raids on mining sites in the Suaman District.
Regional Police Commander, DCOP Francis Tsidi, briefed journalists at the Sefwi Wiawso headquarters. He disclosed that the group, dressed in replica National Security uniforms, moved through communities including Suiaboi, where they demanded operational documents and seized property from miners who were not actively working at the time.
Their suspicious conduct eventually raised an alarm. Some residents confronted the alleged operatives, while others gave chase toward Dadieso, leading to their interception by police officers.
The suspects have been identified as Amponsah Asare Wagan, 33; Nelson Agbodzah, 28; Awedagah Norbert, 27; Francis Brefo, 35; and their driver, Benjamin Boakye, 48. They were apprehended aboard a Toyota Hilux with registration number GX 1095-19.
All five have been transferred to the Dadieso Police Station for further investigation.
DCOP Tsidi has issued a strong warning to the public, stressing that while security agencies are actively clamping down on illegal mining, also known as galamsey, they will not hesitate to deal with anyone impersonating officers to harass or exploit citizens.