Amenfi Central: NAIMOS arrests Chinese illegal miners at Hiawa Koofrom, seizes pump action gun and excavators

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 Chinese nationals engaged in illegal mining, the seizure of a pump-action gun with four cartridges, and the impoundment of two excavators used for destructive activities along the Ankobrah River.

According to NAIMOS, the operation was launched after credible intelligence was received from an informant who provided the GPS location of the illegal mining site.

The task force departed for Hiawa Koofrom at approximately 0910 hours and, upon arrival, encountered both Chinese and Ghanaian illegal miners.

However, some suspects managed to escape into the forest after being tipped off by local Okada riders about the approaching task force.

Despite the escape of several individuals, the task force successfully apprehended three Chinese miners.

A Nissan Navara vehicle was seized at the scene, together with a pump-action shotgun, four cartridges, and mobile phones belonging to the arrested suspects.

The team also found two excavators and large heaps of sand and paydirt, indicating extensive environmental destruction along the riverbank.

NAIMOS has reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling illegal mining networks across the country and restoring Ghana’s degraded water bodies and farmlands through sustained intelligence-led enforcement operations.