Tamale police swoop nets 12 in New Year drug crackdown

The Ghana Police Service’s Special Operations Team has arrested 12 people in Tamale in an operation targeting suspected drug peddling and abuse.

The suspects were picked up during a coordinated swoop at Aboabo Forest, followed by patrols through Salamba and Sakasaka. Police say items seized included dried leaves believed to be cannabis, as well as opioids such as Tramadol.

The exercise, led by DSP Bawah Abdul Jalil, was part of heightened security measures put in place over the New Year period to deter crime and reassure residents.

In a statement, DSP Abdul Jalil said the visible security presence had helped discourage criminal activity and strengthened public confidence in the police. He added that further intelligence-led swoops on identified hideouts would continue as part of efforts to clamp down on drugs and related offences in the metropolis.

The police have urged residents to report suspicious behaviour and assured the public of rapid response to such alerts, noting that night patrols and similar operations have already led to multiple arrests in recent weeks.

All 12 suspects are currently in police custody assisting with investigations.