The arrests were made during a coordinated intelligence-led exercise carried out by the Western North Regional Forest Services Division in collaboration with the Enchi Forest District.

The operation took place in the early hours of Tuesday, January 20, 2026, between 1:00 a.m. and 6:30 a.m., targeting illegal mining activities at the Boi Tano and Jema Asemkrom Forest Reserves, areas increasingly threatened by unauthorized mining.

Four separate teams were deployed to the sites, raiding several illegal mining camps. During the exercise, five water pumping machines and four makeshift structures used by the miners were destroyed, while two additional pumping machines, mobile phones, and other mining equipment were seized as evidence.

All 13 suspects were handed over to the Enchi Police Command to assist with investigations and potential prosecution in accordance with the law.

The Enchi Forest Services Division reiterated its commitment to safeguarding forest reserves and protecting water bodies from the destructive impact of illegal mining, warning that similar operations will continue across the region to clamp down on offenders.

The operation followed complaints from residents of Afodwoa, Nyamedema, and surrounding communities to the Member of Parliament for Aowin, Oscar Ofori Larbi, over the pollution of water bodies allegedly caused by illegal mining activities. The MP subsequently lodged a formal complaint with the Minerals Commission in Takoradi.

On January 5, the inter-security task force moved into the area and identified six illegal mining sites. During the operation, nine excavator machines were seized, with control boards, gear levers, and other vital operational components confiscated. Several makeshift structures belonging to the miners were also destroyed.

However, the operation was reportedly disrupted when a vehicle belonging to the Aowin Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), driven by his Personal Assistant and accompanied by four soldiers from the Takoradi Command led by W.O. Appiah, intercepted the task force while it was transporting the seized items to the police.

Sources say the group demanded the release of the confiscated equipment to the miners, resulting in a heated confrontation between them and members of the task force.

Despite the reported interference, the task force managed to deposit the seized items at the Enchi Divisional Police Command. Later, a group of illegal miners allegedly besieged the police station, reportedly led by individuals linked to the MCE, demanding the release of the equipment.

Following reported threats to personnel, the inter-security task force has temporarily suspended its operations and is awaiting reinforcement from the Minerals Commission before resuming the crackdown.

Aowin has long been identified as a hotspot for illegal mining, with residents and authorities raising concerns over the destruction of water bodies, farmlands, and forest reserves across the municipality.

The 13 suspects were nabbed in separate intelligence-led operations by the Western North National Security Coordinating Council on Tuesday, October 25.

The operation was held in the wake of illegal mining activities that have been destroying the river bodies in the region.

The suspects were apprehended while polluting rivers Tano, De-Sue and Sui.

Two Chinese nationals and five Ghanaians were arrested in the Aowin Municipality whereas eight suspects; three Chinese Nationals and three Ghanaian citizens were arrested in the process in the Suaman District, all in the Western North Region.

The suspects, however, have been sent to the Regional Police Command for further investigations.

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