The Upper East Regional Police Command, with support from the Inspector-General of Police’s Special Operations Team, has arrested 80 suspects during a major intelligence-led swoop operation conducted across Bolgatanga, Tongo, Bongo and the Nabdam District.
In a statement released and signed by Chief Inspector Abdul-Rahman Sumaila, Public Relations Officer for the Upper East Region, the Police said the operation was carried out between May 25 and June 3, 2026, targeting suspected criminal activities in the affected communities.
The statement said 12 suspects, comprising eight males and four females, were arrested at Zuarungu.
The female suspects included three Nigerians and one Ghanaian. In Bongo, police arrested 34 suspects made up of 32 males and two females. Another 14 suspects, comprising 12 males and two females, were arrested during operations at Perlungu, Kongo and Nangodi in the Nabdam District, while 20 suspects were apprehended in Bolgatanga.
Preliminary investigations suggest the suspects were involved in narcotics peddling and consumption, as well as other criminal-related activities.
The operation also led to the retrieval of several items believed to be linked to criminal activities. In Tongo, police recovered a motorcycle, assorted foreign cigarettes, male condoms and quantities of substances suspected to be Indian hemp.
Officers in Bongo retrieved three rounds of 5.56×45mm NATO ammunition and two motorbikes.
At Nabdam, police recovered parcels and sacks containing dried leaves suspected to be narcotic substances, assorted drinks believed to contain narcotic content, an unregistered motorbike, assorted foreign cigarettes and parts of a casino jackpot machine.
In Bolgatanga, suspects were found in possession of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, assorted cigarettes, a Yamaha Sirius motorbike with registration number M-19-UE 2688, a Luojia motorbike with registration number M-13-UE 7181, an unregistered Haojue motorbike and a casino jackpot machine.
Police said all the suspects remain in custody and will be put before court to face the full rigours of the law.
