U/ER: 74 Suspects Arrested in Anti-Narcotics Raids
The Inspector General of Police’s Special Operations Team has arrested 74 suspects in two intelligence-led operations targeting narcotics peddling, violent crime, and other criminal activities in the Upper East Region.
The first operation was carried out on May 20, 2026, at Paga within the Ghana-Burkina Faso border buffer zone.
Police arrested 40 suspects, comprising 28 males and 12 females. Of those detained, 23 are Ghanaian, 8 Nigerian, 6 Burkinabé, 1 Malian, and 1 Togolese.
Officers recovered parcels and sacks of suspected narcotic substances, along with five motorbikes believed to have been used for distribution.
Second Swoop
A second swoop followed on May 22, 2026, at identified criminal hotspots within the Navrongo Municipality, including the Condemned Road Corridor, “After Six” Spot, and “Lighter Inn” Spot.
34 suspects were arrested, comprising 32 males and 2 females.
Police also retrieved 11 motorbikes, quantities of suspected narcotic substances, and assorted foreign cigarettes during the operation.
Arraignment
On the same day, the suspects were arraigned before High Court Two, presided over by His Lordship Justice Ernest Pascal Gemadzie.
Sixteen suspects were remanded into police custody and are expected to reappear on 4 June 2026.
The remaining 22 are being profiled for further action.
All suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue.
The police said efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest other persons connected to criminal activities in the affected areas.
The operations form part of the IGP’s broader strategy to disrupt drug trafficking and violent crime networks in border and urban hotspots across the country.
Story by Hajara Fuseini
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