The Ashanti Regional Police Command, working with the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Special Operations Team (SOT), has arrested 24 suspects during an intelligence-led operation that led to the recovery of a pump-action gun, suspected narcotic substances, vehicles and other exhibits.
The Ghana Police Service, in a press release, said the operation formed part of efforts to deal with drug-related offences and other criminal activities in the region.
The exercise was carried out in Kodie, Apagya, Dechemso, Old Tafo Ahenbronum, Ahodwo and Abofour, where police targeted suspected drug peddlers and other persons believed to be involved in criminal activities.
The police said 24 suspects, comprising 21 men and three women, were arrested during the operation.
They were identified as Richmond Okyere, 49; Mark Appiah Kubi; Nkrumah Zakaria, 23; Paul Addo, 62; Louis Samba, 26; Azupeh Kelvin, 28; Stephen Opoku, 24; Fredrick Boakye, 20; Frimpong Yiadom, 33; Dennis Owusu, 21; Alfred Agyeman, 25; and Owusu Davis, 24.
The remaining suspects were identified as Kwaku Agyemang Duah, 35; Akwasi Amankwah, 35; Solomon Asamoah, 27; Bushiru Alhassan, 19; Juliana Vivor, 17; Douglas Osei, 28; Kwabena Aikins, 38; Osman Ibrahim, 31; Amponsah Emmanuel, 40; Kwabena Fosu, 39; Ama Pokuah, 35; and Musah Haruna, 32.
According to the statement, Richmond Okyere was found in possession of a pump-action gun bearing serial number 21GN-1918.
The police said exhibits recovered during the operation included an unregistered Toyota Highlander, an unregistered Toyota Camry saloon car, a Mercedes-Benz saloon car with registration number AS 8724-Z, an unregistered motorcycle, the pump-action gun, seven rounds of Red-Star AAA cartridges and a fireproof high-security safe.
The operation also led to the recovery of 489 pieces of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis, parcels and sealed packages of dried leaves suspected to be narcotic substances, 90 tablets of 225mg Tramadol, 140 tablets of 250mg Tramadol and 11 tablets of Royal 225mg.
Other items retrieved included 38 materials used in processing suspected narcotic substances, bottles of Femude drink suspected to have been mixed with narcotic substances, 40 locally made toffees suspected to contain narcotic substances, three boxes of African Viagra, 52 lighters, 12 crushers, four quantities of ash residue believed to be linked to narcotics use, a Dell laptop, two LED television sets and various sums of money suspected to be proceeds from the sale of narcotic substances.
The statement said all the suspects were in police custody assisting with investigations, while the exhibits had been retained for evidential purposes.
"Upon the conclusion of investigations, suspects found culpable will be put before the court," the statement said.
The Ghana Police Service said it would continue intelligence-led operations to deal with drug-related offences, violent crime and other criminal activities.
It appealed to the public to support the police by providing credible information on criminal activities through the nearest police station or the designated emergency channels.
The press release was signed by the Head of the Public Affairs Unit of the Ashanti Regional Police Headquarters, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Godwin Ahianyo.
