Police arrest 7 suspects, seize 40 wraps of suspected Indian hemp

The Northern Regional Special Operations Team of the Ghana Police Service, known as “Red Maria” has arrested seven persons and retrieved 40 wraps of substances suspected to be Indian hemp during a targeted anti-drug operation in the Tamale Metropolis.

The operation, conducted on Monday, April 20, at about 20:30 hours, formed part of routine efforts by the Police to clamp down on drug peddling and related criminal activities in the region.

This was contained in a press statement issued by the Public Relations Unit of the Northern Regional Police Command and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Tamale on Tuesday, April 22

The statement said a team, comprising 44 personnel, carried out coordinated swoops at identified hotspots, including Zogbeli, Kukuo, and later Savelugu, following intelligence gathered

It said at Zogbeli, four suspects were apprehended, namely Sulemana Sualha, 20; Alhassan Ayisha, 25; Abdul Fatawu Damba, 16; and Mohammed Amin, 20

It said the suspects were arrested for allegedly possessing and dealing in narcotic substances

It said the team subsequently moved to Kukuo, where two additional suspects, identified as Ibrahim Abdulai, 20, and Issah Abass, 17, were also arrested for similar offencesExplainers on topics

The statement said that, acting on further intelligence, the team extended the operation to Savelugu, where Ibrahim Osuman, 21, was arrested

Acting on further intelligence, the operation was extended to Savelugu, where Ibrahim Osuman, 21, was arrested. Preliminary investigations indicate he may be involved in drug-related activities, although a search of his room did not yield any substances.

In total, 40 wraps of suspected Indian hemp were retrieved during the operation.

All seven suspects are currently in Police custody and assisting with ongoing investigations.