The National Illegal Mining Operations Task Force (NAIMOS), under the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, has intensified its fight against illegal mining with the arrest of a nine-member criminal gang operating in the Anhwiafutu Forest Belt within the Atwima Mponua Forest Reserve of the Ashanti Region.

The suspects were picked up last week during a special operation and initially detained at the Kumasi Central Police Station. Over the weekend, they were transferred to Accra and officially handed over to the Ghana Police Service for further investigations.

According to NAIMOS, five suspects are currently being held at the Kotobabi Police Station, while the remaining four are in custody at the Cantonments Police Station.

The task force emphasised that it will continue to mount sustained operations to dismantle illegal mining networks until the menace of galamsey is completely eradicated.