By: Edwin N. Khakie
Gbarnga, Bong County — Police in Bong County have charged two Burkinabè nationals and forwarded them to the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court in Gbarnga, following preliminary investigations into alleged illegal mining activities in the Gbarkoneh area of Zota District.
The accused face multiple charges, including Fraud, Criminal Conspiracy, and Theft of Property—violations of Sections 15.80, 20.4, and 15.51 of Liberia’s Revised Penal Law.
“We have investigated these individuals and found them liable for crimes that clearly violate our laws,” said Superintendent of Police James Kartoe, Commander of the Crime Services Department at the Bong County Police Detachment.
According to the police charge sheet, one of the suspects, Ouedrago Harouna, confessed during questioning that he entered Bong County in December 2024 along with twelve others to mine gold.
He recounted that upon arrival in Bleh Village, the village chief—identified only as Bleh—authorized their operations after negotiations.
Harouna further disclosed that a man known only as Paul, believed to be a mining agent, demanded and received a payment of US$1,000 to permit mining activities from January to June 2025.
Superintendent Kartoe affirmed that the Liberia National Police will continue its investigation to apprehend and prosecute all individuals linked to the illegal mining operation.
On Monday, May 6, 2025, Bong County authorities dismantled what they described as a hazardous and illegal mining camp in Gbankoneh. The crackdown resulted in the arrest of several foreign nationals, suspected to be from Burkina Faso.
The discovery was made during an inspection led by Bong County Superintendent Loleyah Hawa Norris, County Attorney Jonathan Flomo, officers of the Liberia National Police, and other local officials.
Speaking at a press briefing in Gbarnga, Superintendent Norris described the mining site as makeshift and dangerously unstable. She also raised alarms over the suspected use of unidentified chemicals in the mining process, warning of potential health risks to surrounding communities.
