Security forces have intensified their crackdown on illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, along the Ankobra River, dismantling operations and destroying equipment in a large-scale operation across the Nzema East Municipality in the Western Region.

The operation, conducted on Wednesday, September 17, was led by the NAIMOS Task Force in partnership with the Western Regional Security Council, the Western Naval Command, and the Nzema East Blue Water Guards.

It covered areas stretching from Dwira Ashem through Dominase to Akango.

Teams from the NAIMOS Task Force and the Blue Water Guards raided structures erected along the riverbanks, while operatives from the Western Regional Security Council and naval personnel cleared mining activities directly on the river.

Several makeshift structures were set ablaze during the raid, while dredging platforms and chanfangs used in illegal mining were destroyed.

Security personnel also seized motorbikes, pumping machines, solar panels, household appliances, and gas cylinders believed to have been used to support the operations of the miners.

Officials say this latest swoop forms part of a series of joint raids conducted over the past three weeks to rid the Ankobra River of illegal mining activities.

While praising the gains made so far, NAIMOS noted that parts of the river remain blocked by debris from destroyed mining equipment and require urgent dredging to restore normal flow.