The Ghana Police Service has arrested 24 suspects and retrieved a cache of suspected narcotic substances, a pump-action gun, vehicles and other items during a major intelligence-led operation across several communities in the Ashanti Region.
The operation, undertaken by the Inspector-General of Police’s (IGP) Special Operations Team (SOT) in collaboration with the Ashanti Regional Police Command, formed part of ongoing efforts to combat crime and improve public safety in the region.
In a press release issued on July 2, 2026, the Police said the intelligence-led exercise was conducted in Kodie, Apagya, Dechemso, Old Tafo Ahenbronum, Ahodwo and Abofour.
“As part of ongoing efforts to clamp down on criminal activities in the Ashanti Region and enhance public safety, the Ghana Police Service, through the Inspector-General of Police (I.G.P.) Special Operations Team (SOT), in collaboration with the Ashanti Regional Police Command, has intensified its intelligence-led operations,” the statement said.
According to the Police, the operation specifically targeted suspected drug peddlers and other criminal elements operating within the affected communities.
A total of 24 suspects, comprising 21 men and three women, were arrested during the exercise.
Among those apprehended was Richmond Okyere, 49, who police said was found in possession of a pump-action gun bearing serial number 21GN-1918.
The remaining suspects were identified as Mark Appiah Kubi, Nkrumah Zakaria, Paul Addo, Louis Samba, Azupeh Kelvin, Stephen Opoku, Fredrick Boakye, Frimpong Yiadom, Dennis Owusu, Alfred Agyeman, Owusu Davis, Kwaku Agyemang Duah, Akwasi Amankwah, Solomon Asamoah, Bushiru Alhassan, Juliana Vivor, Douglas Osei, Kwabena Aikins, Osman Ibrahim, Amponsah Emmanuel, Kwabena Fosu, Ama Pokuah and Musah Haruna.
Police also recovered a number of exhibits believed to be linked to criminal activities.
The items included an unregistered Toyota Highlander, an unregistered Toyota Camry, a Mercedes-Benz saloon vehicle, an unregistered motorcycle, a pump-action gun, seven rounds of Red-Star AAA cartridges, a fireproof high-security safe, 489 pieces of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis, parcels and sealed packages of dried leaves suspected to be narcotic substances, 230 tablets of Tramadol of varying strengths, 11 Royal tablets, 38 narcotics processing materials, bottles of Femude drink suspected to be laced with narcotic substances, 40 locally made toffees suspected to contain narcotic substances, a Dell laptop, two LED television sets, three boxes of African Viagra, 52 lighters, 12 crushers, quantities of ash residue believed to be associated with narcotics use, and various sums of money suspected to be proceeds from the sale of narcotic substances.
The Police said all the suspects remain in custody while investigations continue.
“All the suspects are currently in Police custody assisting with investigations, while the exhibits retrieved have been retained for evidential purposes. Upon the conclusion of investigations, suspects found culpable will be put before the court.”
The Police reiterated that the operation forms part of a broader strategy to combat drug-related offences and other criminal activities across the region.
“The Ghana Police Service remains committed to sustained intelligence-led operations aimed at combating drug-related offences, violent crime, and other forms of criminality to ensure the safety and security of the public.”
The Service also appealed to members of the public to support its efforts by volunteering credible information on criminal activities through the nearest police station or the designated emergency channels.
