The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) Task Force has arrested two Chinese nationals for engaging in illegal mining activities within the Tano Anwia Forest Reserve in the Jomoro area of the Western North Region.

The arrests followed an intelligence-led operation conducted by the Task Force on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.

According to NAIMOS, the team was initially denied access to the forest by some forest guards but managed to enter after a brief standoff.

In a post on X by Felix Ofosu Kwakye on October 9, 2025, he disclosed that the Task Force discovered active illegal mining operations along the Tano River, where a Toyota Land Cruiser V8 with registration number GR 442-14 was seen fleeing the scene.

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Two Chinese nationals were apprehended during the operation, while a third suspect, believed to be a Ghanaian, escaped.

The Task Force also uncovered significant environmental damage, including the diversion of the Tano River and the destruction of large portions of the forest area.

“Illegal mining in forest reserves remains one of the greatest threats to our environment, and NAIMOS will continue to work with all relevant agencies to clamp down on perpetrators,” the report said.

Four excavators were found at the site, three of which had already been immobilised and one neutralised by the Task Force.

In addition, two heavy-duty water pumping machines and twelve makeshift wooden structures used by the miners were destroyed.

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Items seized during the operation included a Toyota Land Cruiser V8 (GR 442-14), cash amounting to GH₵10,050, two mobile phones (an iPhone and a Huawei), three packs of cigarettes, two lighters, one HF radio, one torchlight, one drum of fuel, one monitor, and one control board.

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NAIMOS Busts Chinese Nationals Involved in Galamsey

On Wednesday, 8th October, 2025, The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) Task Force arrested two Chinese nationals engaging in illegal mining activities in the Tano Anwia Forest Reserve in the Jomoro… pic.twitter.com/3GeIhiBcb9

— Felix Kwakye Ofosu (@FelixKwakyeOfo1) October 9, 2025