The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has dismantled a notorious galamsey hideout at Aboso in the Western Region, popularly known as ‘Gangway’.

The hideout, long known as a haven for hardened illegal miners, was raided in a massive intelligence-led operation on Monday, October 5, 2025.

The operation led to the destruction of numerous makeshift structures used as drug bases within the crime-prone enclave at Aboso in the Prestea-Huni Valley District.

In addition to destroying the structures, the task force seized several pieces of mining equipment used in ongoing illegal operations that continue to degrade the environment.

During the swoop, several locals involved in illegal mining, gambling, drug abuse, and narcotics trading surrendered to the NAIMOS team on the ground.

Several packs of hard drugs were also retrieved from the suspects, including eleven parcels of Indian hemp, during the course of the operation.

Earlier in June, NAIMOS had carried out a similar exercise in the same area, warning criminal gangs to vacate the ‘Gangway’ hideout. Despite repeated calls from the chiefs and people of Aboso, the illegal miners and miscreants had continued their unlawful activities.

The latest operation by the task force is expected to restore order to the community and end the persistent illegalities within the enclave.

In a related development, NAIMOS also conducted an operation along the Daren-Domping areas in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality of the Western Region.

The exercise, conducted en route to the ‘Gangway’ hideout, formed part of ongoing efforts to clamp down on illegal mining across the region.

In all, fifteen water-pumping machines and one generator set were seized, while three changfans and several makeshift structures were destroyed during both operations.

The taskforce says it will sustain its operations in the Western Region and other galamsey hotspots as part of the government’s renewed fight against illegal mining.