NAIMOS arrests 30 in Volta sand-winning raid, intercepts 35 tipper trucks

The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), backed by the Ghana Armed Forces, has apprehended 30 individuals accused of illegal sand winning and seized 35 tipper trucks, most of which bore Togolese registration numbers, in the Ketu North Municipality of Ghana's Volta Region. The operation focused on two locations, Agbozume Klikor and Ohawu, where sand-winning activities were halted.

The detainees were transferred to the Dzodze District Police Station for further scrutiny. The seized trucks were transported to a secure holding facility. The presence of trucks with Togolese plates has sparked concerns regarding the cross-border exchange of sand in the region. NAIMOS asserts it will address illegal sand winning with the same vigor as other illicit mineral extraction methods.

This practice wreaks havoc on farms, disrupts landscapes, undermines roads and infrastructure, and jeopardizes community safety. The Secretariat emphasized that enforcement will not stop at the excavators. Truck owners, transport operators, and anyone aiding in the transportation and distribution of sand from unauthorized sites will face consequences if evidence points to their involvement.

It was also highlighted that vehicles with foreign registration numbers cannot shield anyone from legal repercussions. NAIMOS declared it will persist with focused operations in pinpointed hotspots and collaborate more closely with the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana Police Service, local authorities, and other entities to thwart the recurrence of such activities.

The Secretariat urged sand-winning operators to procure sand exclusively from authorized locations and adhere to the laws and regulations governing the sector.