Bolgatanga: The Upper East Regional Police Command, with support from the Inspector-General of Police (IGP)'s Special Operations Team, has arrested 80 suspects in an intelligence-led anti-crime operation conducted across parts of the region.
According to Ghana News Agency, the suspects, made up of 72 males and eight females, were arrested during a swoop operation carried out between May 25 and June 3, 2026, in the Bolgatanga Municipality, Bolgatanga East, Bongo, and Nabdam Districts.
A statement issued by Chief Inspector Abdul-Rahman Sumaila, the Upper East Regional Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Police Service, revealed that preliminary investigations indicated the suspects were involved in narcotic peddling and consumption, as well as other criminal-related activities.
The operation led to the arrest of 12 suspects in Zuarungu in the Bolgatanga East District, comprising eight males and four females. In Bongo, 34 suspects, made up of 32 males and two females, were apprehended, while 14 suspects were caught in Pelungu, Kongo, and Nangodi in the Nabdam District. Additionally, 20 suspects were arrested in the Bolgatanga Municipality.
The statement highlighted that a number of items believed to be linked to criminal activities were retrieved from the suspects and various operation sites. In Tongo, police recovered a motorcycle, assorted foreign cigarettes, male condoms, and quantities of substances suspected to be Indian hemp. In Bongo, officers retrieved three rounds of 5.56‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬45mm NATO ammunition and two motorbikes.
The operation in Nabdam resulted in the seizure of parcels and sacks containing dried leaves suspected to be narcotic substances, assorted drinks believed to contain narcotic content, one unregistered motorbike, assorted foreign cigarettes, and parts of a casino jackpot machine. In Bolgatanga, suspects were found with dried leaf substances suspected to be Indian hemp, assorted cigarettes, two registered motorbikes, an unregistered Haojue motorbike, and a casino jackpot machine.
All the suspects are in custody, assisting with investigations, and will be put before the court to face prosecution.