Operatives of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) have arrested three Chinese nationals during a major anti-illegal mining operation along the River Tano in the Amenfi West District of the Western Region.
The operation, carried out on Thursday, May 14, 2026, formed part of NAIMOS’ intensified riverine crackdown on illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey, which continue to threaten major water bodies across the country.
According to NAIMOS, the operation began at about 3:00am and lasted until 3:30pm, with the task force working together with the Blue Water Guards to clear illegal miners operating on the Tano River.
During the exercise, the team patrolled several communities and sections along the river where previous operations had successfully driven away illegal miners.
However, at Oforikrom, operatives encountered a group of miners actively operating Changfan machines mounted on floating platforms directly on the river.
The illegal miners reportedly fled the scene immediately after spotting the approaching security personnel in an attempt to evade arrest.
A subsequent search of the area led to the arrest of three Chinese nationals believed to be supervising the illegal mining operations.
The suspects were identified as 37-year-old Deng Jun, 50-year-old Deng Bi Hua, and 32-year-old Deng Bi Qiang.
NAIMOS disclosed that the three suspects were initially taken to the Secretariat before being handed over to the Enforcement Unit of the Ghana Immigration Service in Accra for further investigations and possible prosecution.
The task force said its inspection of the site revealed extensive environmental destruction caused by the illegal mining activities.
Large portions of farmlands had been devastated, while the Tano River itself had suffered severe pollution.
According to the Secretariat, the illegal operations had significantly reduced the depth of the river, raising concerns about the long-term environmental and economic impact on nearby communities that depend on the water body for farming and domestic use.
In addition to the arrests, the task force seized a pump-action gun, twelve rounds of ammunition, and a Toyota Hilux pickup vehicle with registration number GS 5288-22.
NAIMOS also destroyed more than twenty Changfan machines mounted on floating platforms, together with several pipelines and makeshift structures found at the illegal mining site.
The Secretariat reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining operations aimed at eliminating illegal mining activities along Ghana’s rivers and water bodies.
It further warned individuals engaged in galamsey to abandon the practice and instead participate in the government’s responsible cooperative mining programme being rolled out by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
NAIMOS cautioned that persons who continue to engage in illegal mining risk losing their equipment and facing arrest and prosecution under Ghana’s mining laws.
By 1960news.com
