Twenty-four people have been arrested in a major intelligence-led operation by the Ghana Police Service targeting suspected drug peddlers and other criminal elements across parts of the Ashanti Region.
The operation, carried out by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Special Operations Team (SOT) in collaboration with the Ashanti Regional Police Command, covered Kodie, Apagya, Dechemso, Old Tafo Ahenbronum, Ahodwo and Abofour.
According to the Police, the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to clamp down on criminal activities and improve public safety in the region.
In all, 24 suspects—21 males and three females—were arrested.
Among those arrested was 49-year-old Richmond Okyere, who police say was found in possession of a pump-action gun with serial number 21GN-1918.
The other suspects are Mark Appiah Kubi, Nkrumah Zakaria (23), Paul Addo (62), Louis Samba (26), Azupeh Kelvin (28), Stephen Opoku (24), Fredrick Boakye (20), Frimpong Yiadom (33), Dennis Owusu (21), Alfred Agyeman (25), Owusu Davis (24), Kwaku Agyemang Duah (35), Akwasi Amankwah (35), Solomon Asamoah (27), Bushiru Alhassan (19), Juliana Vivor (17), Douglas Osei (28), Kwabena Aikins (38), Osman Ibrahim (31), Amponsah Emmanuel (40), Kwabena Fosu (39), Ama Pokuah (35) and Musah Haruna (32).
Police said several items believed to be linked to criminal activities were retrieved during the operation.
The exhibits include a pump-action gun, seven rounds of ammunition, two unregistered vehicles, an unregistered motorcycle, a Mercedes-Benz saloon car, a fireproof safe, suspected cannabis, suspected narcotic substances, tramadol tablets, Royal tablets, narcotics processing materials, drinks and locally made toffees suspected to be laced with narcotic substances, a Dell laptop, two LED television sets, boxes of African Viagra, lighters, crushers, ash residue believed to be associated with narcotics use, and unspecified sums of money suspected to be proceeds from the sale of narcotic substances.
The Police said all the suspects remain in custody and are assisting with investigations, while the retrieved exhibits have been retained for evidential purposes.
It added that suspects found culpable will be arraigned before court after investigations are concluded.
The Ghana Police Service reaffirmed its commitment to sustained intelligence-led operations to combat drug-related offences, violent crime and other forms of criminality.
It also urged members of the public to support law enforcement by providing credible information on criminal activities through the nearest police station or designated emergency channels.
