Police arrest 27 in Northern Region drug raids

The Ghana Police Service has arrested 27 people in a coordinated crackdown on drug trafficking networks operating in the Northern Region.

The suspects were picked up on 19 November during a series of intelligence-led raids targeting well-known drug distribution points in and around Tamale.

Inspector Lukman Neindow, spokesperson for the Northern Regional Police Command, said officers recovered quantities of dried leaves believed to be cannabis, packaged in polythene bags. Five motorbikes suspected to have been used to support the illegal trade were also confiscated.

Those arrested — including Iddrisu Abdul Bassit, Iddrisu Sadick, and Yawuza Hishan — have been transferred to the Regional Drug Law Enforcement Unit for deeper investigation.

Two days later, on 21 November, nine of the suspects — five women and four men — appeared before the Tamale Circuit Court. They were charged with possession of narcotic drugs without lawful authority. All pleaded not guilty and were granted bail.

Another suspect, arrested in the course of the operation, was charged separately with unlawful possession of arms and ammunition.

Inspector Neindow said the remaining 18 suspects have been remanded into police custody to support ongoing enquiries.

The police say the latest arrests form part of an intensified national strategy to clamp down on drug distribution networks, promising continued operations in the region.