The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has dismantled a notorious galamsey hideout at Aboso in the Western Region, popularly known as ‘Gangway’.

The hideout, which had been a haven for hardened illegal miners, was raided by the taskforce in a massive intelligence-led operation on Monday, October 5, 2025.

The operation led to the destruction of numerous makeshift structures used as drug bases within the heavily crime-infested enclave at Aboso in the Prestea-Huni Valley District.

In addition to destroying the makeshift structures, the team seized multiple equipment being used by illegal miners in their continued destruction of the environment.

During the swoop, several locals involved in illegal mining, gambling, drug abuse, and narcotics trading also surrendered to the NAIMOS taskforce on the ground.

Several packs of hard drugs were also retrieved from the suspects, including eleven (11) parcels of Indian hemp, during the course of the operation.

Earlier in June, the NAIMOS taskforce had conducted a similar operation in the same area, where criminal gangs were warned to vacate the ‘Gangway’ hideout.

Repeated calls by the chiefs and people of Aboso had been ignored by the illegal miners and other miscreants, who continued to engage in their unlawful activities.

The latest operation by the taskforce is expected to restore sanity to the community and bring an end to the persistent illegalities within the enclave.

In a related development, the NAIMOS taskforce has also carried out an operation along the Daren-Domping areas in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality of the Western Region.

The operation, conducted en route to the Gangway hideout in Aboso, formed part of ongoing efforts to clamp down on illegal mining activities across the region.

In all, fifteen (15) water-pumping machines and one generator set were seized, while three changfans and several makeshift structures were destroyed during both operations.

The taskforce says it will continue its operations in the Western Region and other galamsey hotspots as part of government’s renewed fight against illegal mining.