The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), working alongside the Blue Water Guards, has carried out a targeted operation against illegal mining activities along the Ankobrah River in Agbanzie, Nzema East District.
The raid, conducted on Thursday, February 12, 2026, between 8:00 AM and 11:20 AM, aimed to stop unauthorized excavation after intelligence indicated the presence of two excavators at the site.
En route to the location, the task force spotted one excavator being moved toward the river. Upon noticing the approaching team, the operators abandoned the machine, which officers disabled by removing its monitor and electronic jumper to prevent further use.
At the main site, the team discovered two nearly new SDLG excavators, each equipped with Chanfang machines, actively digging near the river. Some control components had been deliberately removed by operators to hinder seizure. To ensure the equipment could not be used again, the task force dismantled critical parts, including system units, fuse boxes, monitors, oil pumps, a gear lever, and batteries.
NAIMOS highlighted that illegal mining within roughly 50 meters of the river has heavily polluted the water and caused significant damage to surrounding farmland due to deep excavations.
During additional patrols, the team observed around 60 miners on the opposite bank, who fled before being intercepted. The Blue Water Guards also secured a canoe to reach the riverbank, where remaining illegal mining equipment was destroyed.
NAIMOS stressed that local authorities and security agencies must step up surveillance to support the ongoing crackdown, as the Secretariat continues efforts to curb environmental damage from illegal mining in the region.
