Two Burkinabé nationals have been arrested in Bong County, Liberia, for allegedly playing key roles in an illegal gold mining operation discovered in the Gbankonah area of District 4.
The suspects, 44-year-old Harouna Ouedraogo and 42-year-old Barchezu Sorie—both of the Mourie ethnic group—were detained during a coordinated security raid led by local authorities. Ouedraogo resides in Gbarnga’s Millionaire Quarter, while Sorie is based in Bleh Village.
According to officials, the two men were heavily involved in unauthorized mining that caused significant environmental harm, including deforestation and the use of toxic chemicals.
The operation was exposed during a joint inspection involving Bong County Superintendent Loleyah Hawa Norris, County Attorney Jonathan Flomo, Police Commander Farsu V. Sheriff, and other key stakeholders.
Speaking at a press briefing in Gbarnga, Superintendent Norris said the findings were alarming. “We found dangerous chemicals that could paralyze or kill,” she stated. “We cannot permit this type of reckless activity simply because people are chasing profit.”
Authorities confiscated equipment including water pumps, car batteries, and other mining tools. Samples of chemicals taken from the site were sent for testing and were found to be both toxic and unregulated.
Commander Sheriff confirmed the Liberia National Police acted on reliable intelligence and revealed that many individuals on-site were undocumented foreign nationals from Guinea, Mali, and Burkina Faso. “Through language profiling—mainly French—and ID checks, we confirmed most lacked legal documentation or work permits,” he said.
One of the suspects had a Burkinabé passport, now in the hands of immigration officials for further scrutiny. County Attorney Flomo noted that although the men initially claimed to be farmers, evidence linked them directly to an organized illegal mining ring.
“This isn’t just two individuals—this is a network,” Flomo warned. “We suspect at least a dozen others are involved, and the full scale is yet to be uncovered.”
The authorities have called for a joint investigation with the Environmental Protection Agency, the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the Liberia Immigration Service, and the national police to tackle the broader problem.
“This is about protecting our communities and the environment,” said Superintendent Norris. “We are committed to bringing everyone involved to justice.”
The two men remain in custody as further arrests are anticipated in connection with the illegal operation.
