Nine Blue Water Guards personnel are in custody after allegedly extorting bribes from people by claiming to be officers of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS).
The personnel were reportedly arrested on Friday, August 21, following allegations that they collected bribes while posing as NAIMOS operatives.
An internal notice issued to Blue Water Guards members described the alleged conduct as a serious breach of professional standards that could damage the reputation of the anti-illegal mining programme.
The notice stressed that Blue Water Guards personnel are not authorised to operate as, or represent themselves as, NAIMOS officials.
“All guards are hereby cautioned to desist from such acts and remain professional. No BWG is authorised to act as NAIMOS,” the notice stated.
The arrests come amid ongoing operational collaboration between NAIMOS and the Blue Water Guards, who have previously carried out joint anti-illegal mining operations from the Manso Adubia base, including enforcement activities along river corridors in the Ashanti Region.
The allegations against the nine arrested personnel have not yet been established in court, and it remains unclear whether formal charges have been filed against them.
