The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has disrupted illegal mining activities along the Ankobrah River at Ayiem Juabo in the Amenfi Central District of the Western Region.

The operation, which took place on Wednesday, January 14, around 8:30 pm, followed intelligence reports of destructive galamsey activities causing severe river pollution upstream.

During the targeted night operation, seven suspected illegal miners were apprehended. Among those arrested were Numbor Kwasi Musah, aged 16, and Benja Nakura Abdul-Wahid, aged 15, highlighting concerns about youth involvement in unlawful mining.

Other suspects included Kombate Indabre, aged 20, Mawuli Boni, aged 29, Justice Mensah, aged 40, Bright Kwasi Nkrumah, aged 35, and Kwabena Lambon, aged 30.

NAIMOS officers seized several items used in the illegal operations, including nine water pumping machines, mining trays and pans, charms, and mobile phones.

All makeshift structures at the camp were dismantled, and equipment was destroyed to prevent further illegal activity. The arrested individuals were handed over to the Ayiem Juabo Police Station to support investigations and prosecution.

The seized machinery was transported to NAIMOS headquarters in Accra for safekeeping and further action.

As part of its broader enforcement strategy, the Secretariat has begun deploying field officers permanently to high-risk illegal mining areas to reduce response times and support continuous intelligence-led operations.

NAIMOS reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Ghana’s water bodies and forest reserves, promising sustained pressure on illegal mining networks through both daytime and nighttime operations.

“Our efforts are aimed at ensuring that rivers and natural habitats are safeguarded from galamsey activities that threaten both the environment and public health,” a spokesperson said.