NAIMOS arrests 3 foreign nationals and a Ghanaian over illegal sand-winning at Aveyime

The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has arrested three Chinese nationals and a Ghanaian man during a crackdown on suspected illegal sand-winning activities at Aveyime in the Greater Accra Region.

The arrests followed an enforcement operation at a site where the team discovered heavy machinery and other equipment being used for sand extraction.

Speaking to JoyNews, the Commander of NAIMOS, Colonel Kwame Sam Appiah (Col. S.K. Appiah), said the three foreign nationals could not produce valid residency permits or other documents explaining their presence in the country.

He said the suspects would initially be taken to the Sege Police Station before being handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service in Accra for further processing.

“Chinese nationals seen on the site; they don't have permits for residency. They don't have any documentation to prove why they are here. So we will arrest them and send them to Sege Police Station right now. But when we are done with the operation for the day, we'll send them to the Immigration Service in Accra for processing,” he said.

Col. Appiah also disclosed that the operators of the site, including its alleged owner, had failed to produce documents establishing the legality of their sand-winning activities.

He said the team had consequently ordered an immediate shutdown of all operations and directed the operators to report to the Minerals Commission for inspection and verification of their permits.

The NAIMOS commander said the operation also uncovered heavy equipment, including a fuel barge, a payloader and an excavator, believed to be used for the extraction activities.

He further identified the Ghanaian suspect as someone who allegedly served as a foreman or translator between the Chinese nationals and other workers at the site.

The four suspects were expected to be taken to Accra for further processing.

Meanwhile, the Sege District Police Headquarters Commander, Daniel Dan Yaro, has called for effective collaboration between the Minerals Commission and security agencies to ensure the successful enforcement of regulations governing sand winning.

He stressed the need for professionalism during enforcement operations to prevent excesses and ensure that individuals involved understood the basis for the exercise.

“Indeed, I would say we need to do things professionally to avoid excesses so that at least those who are in the forefront can also understand the basis for this enforcement. Nobody should be intimidated. And once we collaborate, we understand the basic principle of this activity,” he said.

He urged the Minerals Commission to strengthen its partnership with security agencies to help curb illegal sand extraction.

“So 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,” he added.

The operation comes amid growing concerns from residents in Afienya over the continued activities of sand winners and their impact on surrounding communities.

Residents who spoke to JoyNews' Stephen Mensah during an earlier enforcement exercise raised concerns about the effects of the activities and called for urgent intervention.

NAIMOS has also indicated its intention to work with the sector ministry to develop revised measures to address illegal sand winning and prevent further environmental degradation.