The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has intensified its nationwide crackdown on illegal mining, recording another major success at Hiawa Koofrom in the Amenfi Central District of the Western Region. The intelligence-led operation resulted in the arrest of three (3) Chinese galamseyers, the seizure of a pump action gun with four cartridges, and the impoundment of two (2) excavators used for destructive mining along the Ankobrah River. Acting swiftly on credible intelligence received from an informant who provided the GPS location of the illegal mining site, the NAIMOS taskforce departed for Hiawa Koofrom at approximately 0910 hours.
Upon arrival, the team encountered both Chinese and Ghanaian illegal miners, who had been alerted by local Okada riders of the approaching taskforce. Several suspects fled into the forest, but the taskforce successfully apprehended three (3) Chinese nationals.
A Nissan Navara vehicle was seized at the scene, together with a pump action shotgun with four (4) cartridges, and mobile phones belonging to the arrested suspects. The team also discovered two (2) excavators alongside large heaps of sand and paydirt, evidence of extensive environmental degradation along the riverbank.