The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested two Korean businessmen and nine Filipinos after they were caught engaging in illegal mining in San Vicente, Butuan City.

CIDG reported that the suspects were caught loading 500 sacks of suspected copper ore minerals valued at P700,000.

Reports indicate that the intercepted transport lacked the required permit from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau.

Authorities confiscated the group’s mining equipment, including tools and testing solutions.