Ghanaian Security Forces Arrest 10 for Illegal Mining and Remand Two for Narcotics Possession

Security agencies in Ghana have intensified their crackdown on illicit activities, resulting in the arrest of ten suspected illegal miners in the Savannah Region and the court remand of two individuals for drug-related offenses in Accra. These operations, conducted in late August 2026, highlight a concerted effort by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and the Ghana Police Service to address environmental degradation and the proliferation of illegal substances across the country.

In the Savannah Region, a joint operation by NAIMOS, the Northern Command of the Ghana Army, and the Ghana Police Service targeted illegal mining sites in Kpali between August 25 and 27. The mission, which followed a strategic reconnaissance phase, led to the apprehension of three Chinese nationals and seven Ghanaians. Beyond the arrests, security personnel seized a significant cache of equipment, including two excavators, a Toyota Hilux vehicle, and three firearms. Authorities also dismantled makeshift structures at the site as part of a broader strategy to reclaim the environment and deter future illegal mining activities in the region.

Concurrently, the Accra Circuit Court has ordered the remand of Torsu Assidam and Kofi Kesse following their arrest on August 23 for the alleged possession of 500 wraps of suspected Indian hemp. The suspects were apprehended at the Arts Centre in Accra after a police tip-off regarding the sale of narcotics. While the accused reportedly admitted to owning the substances and named an accomplice known as Amando as their supplier, Amando remains at large. The court has scheduled the pair to reappear on October 14, 2026, while the seized evidence undergoes forensic analysis.

These separate but significant enforcement actions reflect the ongoing challenges facing the Ghanaian judiciary and security apparatus. While the NAIMOS operation underscores the persistent threat of foreign and local involvement in illegal mining, the narcotics case highlights the urban struggle against drug trafficking. As investigations continue and the hunt for the fugitive Amando intensifies, the authorities are expected to maintain this momentum in the interest of national stability and the rule of law.