NewzThe 19 suspected illegal miners arrested by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) following an operation at Mpohor Fiase in the Western Region will be duly prosecuted, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has assured. The Media Relations Officer of the ministry, Paa Kwasi Shandorf, said on JoyNews Desk on Thursday, July 30, that the suspects would face the full rigours of the law after investigations into their alleged involvement in illegal mining activities are completed. The arrests were made on Wednesday, July 29, after residents, affected farmers and traditional leaders raised concerns over the increasing activities of illegal miners operating near the Mpohor Fiase Police Station.
The NAIMOS Task Force targeted two major illegal mining sites and several smaller sites during the operation. The exercise led to the destruction of 16 chanfang machines, nine water pumps and three makeshift structures believed to have been used for illegal mining activities. An excavator discovered at one of the sites was also disabled after some critical components were removed.
The task force further seized a pump-action shotgun with four rounds of ammunition from one of the suspects, while another suspect was found with GH¢120,000 in cash. The 19 suspects and the seized items have since been handed over for further investigations and the commencement of the necessary legal processes. Mr Shandorf said the prosecution of the suspects formed part of broader efforts by state institutions to deter illegal mining activities and protect Ghana’s land and natural resources.
READ ALSO: NAIMOS arrests 19 suspected illegal miners operating near Mpohor Fiase Police Station following JoyNews’ report NAIMOS has reiterated its commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations aimed at disrupting galamsey activities and dismantling networks that facilitate environmental degradation across the country. The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has arrested eight suspected illegal miners, including two Chinese nationals, during an anti-galamsey operation at Sikaniasem in the Akontombra District of the Western North Region. The operation, carried out on July 29, targeted illegal mining activities affecting a forest area and an unnamed stream.
The suspects comprise six Ghanaians and two Chinese nationals, who are currently in custody to assist with investigations. During the raid, the NAIMOS task force located three excavators at the site and retrieved critical components from some of the machines to prevent their use. The team also destroyed two water pumps believed to have been used in the illegal mining activities.
A Toyota Land Cruiser V8 and a generator were also seized during the operation. NAIMOS said investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other individuals suspected of financing and facilitating the illegal mining activities, while the arrested suspects and seized items are being processed for appropriate legal action.
Summary from source