Forestry Commission and Military joint operation seizes 10 excavators and bulldozer in Tano Anwia forest reserve
A joint team from the Forestry Commission’s (FC) Rapid Response Unit (RRU) and 30 military personnel successfully seized nine excavators, one bulldozer, and arrested four individuals during an operation in the Tano Anwia Forest Reserve, located in the Enchi Forest District of the Western North Region.
The operation, aimed at combating illegal mining activities, took place on Sunday, March 9th, 2025, within Compartments 17 and 20 of the reserve.
Before this recent raid, the FC’s Forest Services Division (FSD) operational team, in collaboration with the RRU, had carried out several operations in the reserve:
Tuesday, 4th March 2025: Acting on a tip-off, the team successfully drove 12 excavators out of the forest but could not make any arrests due to being outnumbered by armed illegal miners.
• Thursday, 6th March 2025: Based on intelligence reports suggesting that illegal miners were planning to re-enter the forest, the FC team returned to prevent their re-entry.
• Saturday, 8th March 2025: A new tip-off confirmed that the miners had returned. However, when the team attempted to arrest the suspects, they were again outnumbered and faced armed resistance.
• The resurgence of illegal mining activity quickly gained widespread attention on social media, prompting authorities to ramp up their efforts.
In response to the escalation, a military-assisted team was deployed on Sunday, successfully seizing 10 heavy-duty machines and arresting four individuals. The seized equipment has been transported to the Enchi District Assembly for safekeeping.
A formal complaint has been filed with the Enchi District Police Command to support further investigations and legal action against those involved.
