OBUASI, Dec 17 (The African Portal) – Police in Ghana’s Obuasi municipality have arrested 40 people following early-morning raids targeting suspected criminal and drug-related activities, police said on Monday.
The operation, carried out between 0500 and 1020 local time, was led by Assistant Superintendent of Police Adam Muakalu and involved officers from the Divisional Operations Unit, the Obuasi District Police, and the Formed Police Unit based in Obuasi, according to a police situation report.
The coordinated swoops covered several locations, including Bedieso, Kunka Junction, Abompe and Akaporiso, suburbs of the gold-mining town of Obuasi.
At Bedieso, police arrested eight suspects and recovered dried leaves suspected to be cannabis from a black plastic bag found near the arrest site. At Kunka Junction, officers arrested one suspect found with a wrapped package of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis, while 11 others were detained after attempting to flee, police said.
Further arrests were made at Abompe, where police said several suspects were found allegedly smoking in a ghetto. Items retrieved included two bottles of alcohol suspected to have been mixed with cannabis.
In Akaporiso, police recovered another quantity of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis from a suspect, and additional arrests were made at an uncompleted building where suspects were allegedly smoking and consuming alcohol. Officers also seized a pack of tramadol during the operation.
All 40 suspects remain in police custody to assist with investigations, while seized items are being held for forensic examination, police said.
Suspects found in possession of illegal substances will be arraigned before court, police added.
Detective Chief Inspector Odoom Stephen of the Obuasi District Criminal Investigations Department said police would continue sustained operations to curb crime and improve public safety in the municipality.
