The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Deputy Youth Organiser for the Bibiani-Anhwiaso constituency, Adams Smith, has reportedly been arrested by the Ghana Police Service over his alleged involvement in the disappearance of excavators seized from illegal mining (galamsey) operators in the area.
The arrest follows police investigations into the movement of heavy-duty mining equipment that had earlier been confiscated during anti-galamsey operations in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipality.
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According to adomonline.com report on Monday, January 26, 2026, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai, Sebastian Obeng, said the excavators were originally seized by the Forestry Commission and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources before he assumed office.
According to him, upon assuming office on April 23, 2025, several excavators had already been secured by the authorities but due to limited space at the Municipal Assembly, some were relocated to an area known as Malta.
Obeng disclosed that the Forestry Manager later alerted him that some of the excavators parked at Malta were being transported using a low-bed truck.
“Last Thursday, the Forestry Manager called to inform me that someone was attempting to move the excavators with a low-bed truck. I contacted the Police Commander, who confirmed receiving similar intelligence,” he is quoted to have said by adomonline.
He explained that although 10 excavators were stationed at the site, three had already been moved before police intervened.
“They had moved three and were returning for the fourth. I therefore directed that the low-bed operator be arrested. During investigations, it emerged that the NDC Deputy Youth Organiser had allegedly granted permission for the movement,” the MCE said.
Through police efforts, two of the excavators were later traced to Juabo in the Amenfi Central District, while another was recovered from the Upper Denkyira West District.
Obeng said investigations are ongoing to establish whether Adams Smith acted alone or collaborated with other individuals.
“We are thoroughly investigating to determine whether he acted independently or with accomplices,” he noted.
The MCE further revealed that the suspect also serves as the Youth Employment Coordinator for the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipality.
While he could not confirm allegations of financial inducement, Obeng disclosed that claims have emerged suggesting the suspect demanded GH¢600,000 and allegedly received GH¢400,000, with the remaining GH¢200,000 to be paid after the successful relocation of the excavators.
“I cannot conclusively confirm this, but these are claims that have surfaced during the investigations,” he added.
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He also clarified that the location where the excavators were parked was not abandoned, explaining that it had previously been used by a contractor working on the Bibiani-Anhwiaso road project.
“The police were supervising the machines, and people live around the area. It is not an abandoned site. I do not know him to be an illegal miner, but whether he is secretly involved is what investigations will establish,” Obeng stated.
MAG/EB
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