The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has stopped a bribery attempt by three suspected galamsey operators following the seizure of illegal mining equipment in Bekwai Municipality, Ashanti Region.

On Wednesday, February 18, the task force resumed its anti-galamsey operations, returning to Edwinase and Kokotro, where earlier raids had forced illegal miners to flee.

At Kokotro, the team uncovered a galamsey site dangerously situated within the town, posing risks to lives, property, and the environment.

During the operation, NAIMOS dismantled makeshift structures, destroyed industrial pumping machines, and removed other illegal mining equipment, while seizing a Liugong excavator, two Liugong monitors, and an unregistered motorcycle.

While heading back to their base, the task force was approached by three men, Emmanuel Koblah, Samuel Addai, and Kofi Frimpong, in a black Tundra F150 (registration GR 4743–16), who claimed ownership of the Kokotro site and tried to bribe them with GHC 119,825 to recover the confiscated items.

The trio was promptly arrested after the task force rejected the bribe and handed them over to the Bekwai Police Station for investigation and prosecution. The seized bribe, excavator, monitors, and vehicle are now held at NAIMOS headquarters.

NAIMOS has cautioned illegal miners and their collaborators that bribing officers will lead to swift arrest and prosecution.

The Secretariat also called on local authorities and security agencies to step up monitoring of previously raided sites to prevent the resumption of illegal mining activities.