The suspects were caught red-handed in separate operations conducted in the cells of Cyivugiza and Shengampure.
Police spokesperson in the Northern Province, CIP Alex Gahigana, said that police had been earlier tipped about this act by residents that people were mining illegally in various quarries in Masoro.
The quarries are owned by Masoro mining company.
Gahigana said that: “Based on that credible information from the residents, targeted operations were conducted on the night of December 15, in various quarries in Masoro where the 14 people were arrested.”
He added that it is an illegal act, but it is also dangerous to enter into a quarry at night.
He said they had previously seen cases where illegal mining activities at night have resulted into loss of lives,” the spokesperson said.
He noted that such disasters and loss of lives sometimes result from tampering with weak cliffs or lack of knowledge on the status of the quarry.
“Such illegal mining activities have also affected two rivers Rusine and Sanzare,” he noted.
He explained that illegal miners, usually do not have any protection gear leaving them exposed to likely dangers because they may be hit by objects or breathe dangerous gases.
He thanked Rulindo residents for their enhanced participation and information sharing in fighting illegal mining activities.
Meanwhile, last October five men were also arrested in Shyorongi Sector, Rulindo District after they were found involved in illegal mining activities.
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