NAIMOS taskforce arrests Chinese Nationals, Ghanaian in Mpohor galamsey raid

The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat taskforce has arrested three Chinese nationals and a Ghanaian during a targeted intelligence-led operation at an illegal mining site at Adum Banso K9 in the Mpohor District of the Western Region.

Details of the operation were shared on Facebook by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Elikem Kotoko, on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. The raid was carried out on Monday, February 9, at about 11:20 a.m., following sustained surveillance of activities at the site.

Upon the arrival of the taskforce, the suspects attempted to escape using two vehicles but were swiftly intercepted and arrested by officers. They were apprehended in a Mitsubishi pickup with registration number GT 3850-13 and a Toyota Highlander with registration number GS 572-25.

A search of the area revealed evidence that two excavators operating at the site had been hurriedly moved and hidden in nearby bushes before the taskforce arrived. To prevent their continued use in illegal mining, officers immobilised the machines. Due to the lack of lowbed services, two control boards and two oil pumps were removed, rendering the excavators unusable.

The taskforce also seized the two vehicles found at the site and destroyed other equipment and materials used in the illegal mining activities.

The three Chinese nationals, together with the seized vehicles, have been transported to the NAIMOS Headquarters for further investigations and subsequent handover to the Ghana Immigration Service in accordance with established procedures. The Ghanaian suspect, identified as Isaac Armah and believed to be the site foreman, has been handed over to the Mpohor Police Station to assist with investigations and possible prosecution.

Commenting on the operation, Director of Operations at NAIMOS, Colonel Dominic Buah, reaffirmed the Secretariat’s resolve to sustain intelligence-led and targeted raids in illegal mining hotspots nationwide.

He acknowledged operational challenges including inadequate patrol vehicles, lowbeds and drones but stressed that these constraints would not derail the taskforce’s mission. Colonel Buah noted that the intensified operations are disrupting entrenched illegal mining networks that continue to devastate cocoa farms, forest reserves and road infrastructure while heavily polluting Ghana’s water bodies.