The Upper East Regional Police Command, with support from the Inspector-General of Police’s Special Operations Team, has arrested 80 suspects in a coordinated intelligence-led swoop across Zuarungu, Bolgatanga, Tongo, Bongo and Nabdam.

The operation, which took place from May 25 to June 3, 2026, led to the arrest of 12 suspects at Zuarungu, including eight men and four women. Police said three of the female suspects were Nigerians, while one was Ghanaian.

In Bongo, 34 suspects, made up of 32 men and two women, were arrested, while 14 others, including 12 men and two women, were picked up in the Nabdam District during operations at Perlungu, Kongo and Nangodi. Another 20 suspects were arrested in Bolgatanga.

According to police, preliminary investigations suggest that the suspects were involved in narcotics peddling and consumption, as well as other criminal activities.

Several items were retrieved during the swoop, including a motorcycle, assorted foreign cigarettes, male condoms and quantities of suspected Indian hemp in Tongo. In Bongo, police recovered three rounds of 5.56×45mm NATO ammunition and two motorbikes.

In Nabdam, officers retrieved parcels and sacks containing dried leaves suspected to be narcotic substances, assorted drinks believed to contain narcotic content, one unregistered motorbike, foreign cigarettes and pieces of a casino jackpot machine.

Police said suspects arrested in Bolgatanga were found with dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, assorted cigarettes, a Yamaha black Sirius motorbike with registration number M-19-UE 2688, a black Luojia motorbike with registration number M-13-UE 7181, an unregistered Haojue motorbike and a casino jackpot machine.

All the suspects are currently in police custody and are expected to be arraigned before court to face the full rigours of the law.

By Blessed EDUAMOAH DADZIE