ITOGON, Benguet — Fourteen alleged small-scale miners were arrested by a composite team of police and concerned government agencies after being caught red-handed allegedly conducting illegal mining operations on Nuggets Hill in Barangay Ampucao, here, Thursday.

Concerned residents were responsible for tipping off the activities of the 14 suspects which causes instability of the soil foundation in the place.

Seized from the arrested were 11 sacks of gold ore weighing approximately 400 kilos, two shovels; two sample pans; two sledge hammers; a miner’s lamp; and one improvised rubber ring with handle.

The arrested illegal pocket miners are now detained at the Benguet provincial jail pending the disposition of the provincial prosecutor’s office on the charges of illegal mining.