Two Chinese nationals arrested in NAIMOS raid on galamsey site
By DL News
Published
2 min read
The operation was carried out by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat, NAIMOS, together with the Blue Water Guards on Sunday, May 24, 2026.
Two Chinese nationals have been arrested during a pre-dawn anti-illegal mining operation at Sanfo Adiam in the Amansie East District of the Ashanti Region.
The operation was carried out by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat, NAIMOS, together with the Blue Water Guards on Sunday, May 24, 2026.
The suspects have been identified as 53-year-old Lu Honggeng and 41-year-old Nong Zisun.
They were allegedly found at an active illegal mining site along the Dankai River.
According to NAIMOS, the raid followed days of intelligence gathering on illegal mining activities in the area.
The task force reportedly moved from its Manso Adubia operational base between 4:00am and 7:00am to take the miners by surprise.
When officers arrived at the site, they allegedly found some people washing mineralised materials directly in the riverbed.
Several Ghanaian workers fled into the surrounding bush when they noticed the security team.
NAIMOS said one of the fleeing men was seen holding a pump-action gun before escaping.
The two Chinese nationals also allegedly attempted to run but were arrested by the joint team.
Authorities say the illegal miners had blocked sections of the Dankai River and diverted the water into an artificial dam to support their mining operations.
NAIMOS described the diversion as a major threat to the river and to nearby farming communities that depend on it for water.
The Secretariat said the artificial channels, blockades and dams created by the miners have since been dismantled.
The discovery of a firearm at the site has also raised security concerns.
NAIMOS said the incident shows the growing danger posed by illegal mining groups in parts of the Amansie East enclave.
The two suspects have been taken under armed escort to the NAIMOS National Secretariat in Accra for interrogation.
They are expected to be handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service for further legal processing and possible deportation review.
NAIMOS says it will maintain a strong presence in the Amansie East District and nearby forest reserves.
It warned illegal miners to stop destroying water bodies and forest reserves or face prosecution.
