IGP’s Special Operations Team arrests 74 suspects in Upper East

The Inspector-General of Police’s (IGP) Special Operations Team has arrested 74 suspects in two separate intelligence-led operations targeting narcotics peddling, violent crime and other criminal activities in the Upper East Region. 

The operations, conducted in Paga in the Kassena-Nankana West District and Navrongo in the Kassena-Nankana Municipality, led to the retrieval of suspected narcotic substances, motorbikes and assorted foreign cigarettes. 

A statement issued by the Police said the first operation was carried out on May 20, 2026, at Paga within the Ghana-Burkina Faso border buffer zone. 

The operation resulted in the arrest of 40 suspects, made up of 28 males and 12 females. 

The suspects comprised 23 Ghanaians, eight Nigerians, six Burkinabés, one Malian and one Togolese national. 

The Police retrieved parcels and sacks of suspected narcotic substances as well as five motorbikes believed to have been used for distribution activities. 

The statement said another intelligence-led swoop operation was conducted on May 22, 2026, at identified criminal hotspots within Navrongo, including the Condemned Road Corridor, “After Six” Spot and “Lighter Inn” Spot. 

That operation, the statement said, led to the arrest of 34 suspects, comprising 32 males and two females. 

It said the Police also retrieved 11 motorbikes, quantities of suspected narcotic substances and assorted foreign cigarettes. 

According to the statement, the suspects were put before High Court Two on the same date, presided over by His Lordship Justice Ernest Pascal Gemadzie. 

The statement said 16 suspects were remanded into police custody and were expected to reappear before the court on June 4, 2026, while the remaining 22 suspects were being profiled for further action. 

The statement said all the suspects were in custody assisting investigations, adding that efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest other persons connected to criminal activities within the affected areas. 

Source: GNA