The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has carried out a major raid on a notorious illegal mining hideout known as ‘Gangway’ in Aboso, Western Region, bringing down a hub long associated with galamsey, drug abuse, and other criminal activities.
The intelligence-led operation, conducted on Monday, October 5, 2025, targeted the hideout in the Prestea-Huni Valley District, where taskforce personnel destroyed several makeshift structures that served as drug dens and shelters for illegal miners.
A significant haul of mining equipment used in ongoing illegal operations—including water-pumping machines, changfans, and a generator set—was seized. Authorities say these tools were contributing to the continued degradation of the local environment.
During the operation, several individuals involved in illegal mining, gambling, narcotics trading, and drug abuse surrendered to the task force. Eleven parcels of Indian hemp and other hard drugs were also confiscated.
This is the second major NAIMOS operation at Aboso, following an earlier swoop in June 2025, during which the taskforce issued warnings to criminal gangs to vacate the area. However, despite repeated appeals from local chiefs and residents, illegal activities persisted.
“The latest operation is expected to restore law and order to Aboso and bring an end to the lawlessness that has plagued the community,” NAIMOS said in a statement.
In a related effort, NAIMOS also conducted a sweep along the Daren-Domping corridor in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality, destroying three changfans and several illegal structures. Fifteen water-pumping machines and one generator were also seized in this separate operation.
NAIMOS has pledged to sustain its operations across the Western Region and other illegal mining hotspots as part of the government’s renewed and intensified campaign against galamsey.
Residents have expressed cautious optimism, hoping the latest crackdown will mark a turning point in the fight against illegal mining and its associated social vices.
 has carried out a major raid on a notorious illegal mining hideout known as ‘Gangway’ in Aboso, Western Region, bringing down a hub long associated with galamsey, drug abuse, and other criminal activities.){kind=link}