In a renewed effort to combat illegal mining (galamsey), the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Squad (NAIMOS) on Friday, August 22, 2025, carried out a joint operation with the Nzema East Blue Water Guards at Abelebo and Akango in the Nzema East Municipality.

The operation, which targeted illegal mining activities along the Ankobra River, was necessitated by the alarming levels of environmental destruction caused by galamsey. 

Intelligence provided by local informants and the Blue Water Guards guided the raids.

Drone surveillance revealed large numbers of illegal miners operating on the river. 

However, upon spotting the heavy presence and aggressive posture of the joint taskforce, the miners fled the scene.

During the raid, the team destroyed 50 chanfang machines, polytanks, generators, pipelines, and several makeshift shelters along the Ankobra River. Additional items including refrigerators, a motorbike, PVC pipes, and excavator parts abandoned at the sites were seized.

NAIMOS emphasized its commitment to intensifying collaboration with the Blue Water Guards, whose increasing presence in riverine communities is seen as critical to the national fight against galamsey.

Sompaonline.com/Prince Atta-Boateng