NAIMOS arrests four suspects for illegal sand-winning at Aveyime

The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has apprehended four individuals, including three Chinese nationals and one Ghanaian, for engaging in illegal sand-winning activities in Aveyime, located in the Greater Accra Region. The operation was part of a targeted crackdown on unauthorized mineral extraction that has been causing significant environmental concern in the area. During the raid, taskforce members discovered that the operators were conducting large-scale sand extraction without the valid permits required by law.

According to NAIMOS Operational Officer Gedzia Raphael Keli, the enforcement team seized heavy machinery and various pieces of equipment used for the extraction process. The site was immediately shut down after the alleged owner failed to provide documentation proving the legality of the operations. Following their arrest, the four suspects were initially detained at the Sege Police Station. Due to the involvement of foreign nationals, they are being processed by the Ghana Immigration Service to determine their residency and work status as part of the broader investigation.

The illegal operations in Aveyime have sparked a wave of concern among local residents, who have reported extensive environmental degradation and urged the government to take decisive action. In response to these challenges, NAIMOS has indicated that it is developing revised measures to more effectively combat illegal sand-winning. The secretariat also emphasized the necessity for improved collaboration between the Minerals Commission and national security agencies to ensure that mining and extraction regulations are strictly enforced to protect the environment and local communities.