{
  "id": 7736385,
  "title": "Galamsey: Forestry Commission arrests 12, impounds three excavators in South Formangso Forest Reserve",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/galamsey-forestry-commission-arrests-12-impounds-three-excavators-in",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T07:46:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Adom Online",
    "slug": "adom-online",
    "url": "https://www.adomonline.com/galamsey-forestry-commission-arrests-12-impounds-three-excavators-in-south-formangso-forest-reserve/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On September 13, 2026, the Forestry Commission conducted a raid in the South Formangso Forest Reserve of the Ashanti Region, arresting 12 suspected illegal miners and seizing three excavators. Additionally, six water-pumping machines were taken, and six Chanfang machines were destroyed. The arrested individuals were handed over to the Juaso Police for further investigation. Forestry Commission staff from the Ashanti Regional Office and Juaso District Office detected the illegal miners and activated the Commission's Rapid Response Team. Isaac Boamah Amanquah, Juaso District Forestry Manager, reported that the miners were using heavy-duty equipment and presented a security risk to forestry personnel. He noted that the miners were operating in a community called Kagyebi Romanuso, damaging the forest and making patrols challenging. The Forestry Commission has previously conducted similar operations in the reserve, with the latest one revealing that miners returned to the area by rebuilding an old access road. The Commission is maintaining a zero-tolerance policy towards illegal mining, warning that anyone caught will face strict legal consequences. The Forestry Commission has increased patrols and monitoring in the area to prevent future invasions and maintain the reserve's ecological integrity.",
  "summary": "The Forestry Commission has arrested 12 suspected illegal miners and impounded three excavators during an operation in the South Formangso Forest Reserve in the Ashanti Region. The operation, conducted on September 13, 2026, also resulted in the seizure of six water-pumping machines, while six Chanfang machines found at the site were destroyed. The arrested suspects […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Forestry Commission arrests 12 suspected illegal miners in South Formangso Forest Reserve.",
    "Three excavators impounded during raid on September 13, 2026.",
    "Six water-pumping machines seized; six Chanfang machines destroyed."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}