The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has arrested three Chinese nationals and one Ghanaian man during an enforcement operation targeting suspected illegal sand-winning activities in Aveyime, located in the Greater Accra Region. During the operation, NAIMOS personnel discovered heavy machinery at the site, including an excavator, a payloader, and a fuel barge. According to the Commander of NAIMOS, Colonel Kwame Sam Appiah, the three foreign nationals were unable to produce valid residency permits or documentation justifying their presence in the country. The Ghanaian suspect, identified as a foreman, allegedly acted as a translator for the group. Colonel Appiah stated that the operators of the site failed to provide documentation to prove the legality of their sand-winning activities. Consequently, the secretariat ordered an immediate cessation of all operations at the site and directed the operators to report to the Minerals Commission for permit verification. The four suspects were initially transported to the Sege Police Station before being transferred to the Ghana Immigration Service in Accra for further processing. The operation follows mounting concerns from residents in the Afienya area regarding the environmental impact of sand-winning activities. In response to these concerns, NAIMOS has announced plans to collaborate with the relevant ministry to develop revised measures aimed at curbing illegal extraction and preventing further environmental degradation. Sege District Police Commander, Daniel Dan Yaro, emphasized the need for stronger cooperation between the Minerals Commission and security agencies to effectively regulate the industry. He urged for a professional approach to enforcement to ensure that operations are conducted transparently and that those involved understand the legal basis for such interventions. “I want to reiterate that let’s see the Minerals Commission collaborating effectively with the security agencies so that we can all assist to ensure that we bring this activity of illegality to the barest minimum,” Yaro said.
Article source: My Joy Online | Image credit: My Joy Online