The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has commended the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, the Ashanti Regional Police Command and the IGP's Special Operations Team (SOT) for their unwavering commitment to combating crime and ensuring peace, law and order across the country.
The commendation was made when the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, Commissioner of Police (COP) Arthur Osei Akoto, led the Director of the IGP's Special Operations Team, Superintendent Augustine Dawson-Amoah, his deputies and other members of the team to pay a courtesy call on the Asantehene at the Manhyia Palace last Wednesday.
Meeting
During the meeting, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander formally introduced the Special Operations Team to the Asantehene and highlighted the IGP’s initiative in establishing the team to strengthen intelligence-led policing and enhance public safety.
“Otumfuo Osei Tutu II observed that the sustained intelligence-led operations undertaken by the Special Operations Team have contributed significantly to improving security in the Ashanti Region, particularly through the reduction of drug trafficking, robbery, human trafficking and other criminal activities, a statement signed by the Head of Public Affairs, Ashanti Region, Supt. Godwin Ahianyo, said.
It said Otumfuo Osei Tutu further encouraged the officers to remain steadfast, disciplined and professional in the discharge of their duties, describing policing as a noble profession that demanded dedication, sacrifice and integrity.
“He also advised the personnel to prioritise their safety while carrying out their lawful responsibilities,” the statement said.
Sustain intelligence-led operations
The Director of the IGP Special Operations Team expressed appreciation to the Asantehene for his encouragement, and reaffirmed the team’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations to protect lives and property and support the Ghana Police Service in maintaining peace and security across the country.
445 arrests
The Special Operations Team in a brief indicated that it has recorded significant successes since its duties across the Ashanti Region by arresting a total of 445 suspects of various nationalities in sustained intelligence-led operations.
A breakdown of the nationalities of the arrests made is 294 Ghanaian nationals, 136 Nigerians, 11 Malians and four Togolese.
The suspects comprise persons believed to be major narcotics suppliers, distributors, drug peddlers, users, human traffickers, persons involved in prostitution-related offences and individuals linked to organised criminal networks.
They include several suspected criminal kingpins, while other identified suspects remain at large and are currently being pursued by the Police.
Of the total suspects arrested, over 100 are currently standing trial before various courts.
Some of the issues are being investigated by the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, while others have been granted court bail pending the outcome of forensic examination of exhibits.
The operations resulted in the retrieval of substantial quantities of suspected narcotic drugs, controlled pharmaceutical products and other exhibits, including hundreds of parcels, slabs, wraps, sachets and packages of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis (Indian hemp).
Others are large quantities of Tramadol tablets (150mg, 225mg and 250mg), Royal Tramaking tablets and other unregistered pharmaceutical products and quantities of substances suspected to be cocaine and ecstasy.
The rest are Cannabis-infused beverages and locally prepared narcotic concoctions, including "Femude as well as Cannabis-infused confectioneries, locally manufactured toffees and fruit juice.
Speaking on behalf of the team, the Director of the IGP Special Operations Team, Superintendent Augustine Dawson-Amoah, expressed profound appreciation to Otumfuo for his encouragement and invaluable support.
He reaffirmed the team's commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations aimed at protecting lives and property, combating organised crime and supporting the Ghana Police Service in maintaining peace, law and order throughout the country.
