Police arrest 192 in nationwide crackdown; recover firearms and suspected drugs

The IGP Special Operations Team has arrested 192 suspects and recovered suspected narcotic substances, firearms, ammunition and other exhibits during intelligence-led operations across the country.

The operations, conducted between October 2 and 29, 2026, covered several communities in the Greater Accra, Eastern and other regions as part of efforts to clamp down on suspected criminal activities.

The communities covered included New Town, Dansoman, Weija, Tudu, James Town, Shukura, Okaishie, Lapaz, Chantan, Odawna, Teshie, Avenor and Fadama.

Teshie recorded the highest number of arrests in a single operation, with 102 suspects — 93 males and nine females — picked up on October 22.

Police said the operation led to the recovery of compressed dried substances suspected to be narcotics, seven bottles of nitrous oxide and a bottle of Benylin with Codeine. Eight persons identified as key suspected narcotics peddlers were subsequently handed over to the Drug Law Enforcement Unit for further investigation.

Another operation at Lapaz and Chantan on October 15 resulted in the arrest of 41 suspects, while eight others were arrested at Okaishie Drug Lane. Suspected narcotics and unregulated pharmaceutical products, including Tramadol, Rohypnol and codeine-based medicines, were also recovered.

At Odawna, surveillance operations led to the arrest of a 52-year-old businessman, Richard Polo. Police said suspected cocaine and other narcotic substances were recovered from his hideout.

Operations at Fadama and Shukura also led to the arrest of Douglas Kobby, 47, and Habib Yakubu. Exhibits retrieved included four parcels of dried leaves suspected to be narcotics, seven cartridges, a pump-action magazine, a dagger and a machete.

In a separate operation at Alabonu in Asutuare, three suspected members of a vigilante group were arrested and handed over to the Tema Regional Police Command.

Further operations in the Eastern Region resulted in four arrests and the recovery of a pump-action shotgun, ammunition and substances suspected to be Indian hemp and Tramadol.

The police said all 192 suspects remain in custody and are assisting with investigations, while efforts are ongoing to identify other persons suspected to be connected to the activities under investigation.