The Inspector General of Police (IGP)’s Special Operations Team has arrested 74 suspects in two separate intelligence-led operations targeting drug trafficking, violent crime, and other criminal activities in the Upper East Region.

According to a Ghana Police Service statement on May 25, 2026, it said that the operations were carried out between May 20 and May 22, 2026, in key locations, including Paga and parts of the Navrongo Municipality.

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The first operation took place on May 20, 2026, at Paga within the Ghana–Burkina Faso border buffer zone, where 40 suspects were arrested.

The police explained that the group included both Ghanaians and foreign nationals.

“On 20th May 2026, the team conducted a coordinated operation at Paga within the Ghana-Burkina Faso border buffer zone. The operation resulted in the arrest of 40 suspects, comprising 28 males and 12 females. The suspects include 23 Ghanaians, 8 Nigerians, 6 Burkinabés, 1 Malian, and 1 Togolese national,” the statement said.

The police added that several exhibits were retrieved during the operation, including suspected narcotic substances and motorbikes believed to have been used for distribution.

“Exhibits recovered include parcels and sacks of suspected narcotic substances, as well as five motorbikes believed to have been used for distribution,” it noted.

A second operation carried out on May 22, 2026, in the Navrongo Municipality, saw the police storm known criminal hotspots such as the Condemned Road Corridor, “After Six” Spot, and “Lighter Inn” Spot.

That operation, the police added, led to the arrest of 34 additional suspects.

“On 22nd May 2026, the team conducted another intelligence-led swoop operation at identified criminal hotspots within the Navrongo Municipality, including the Condemned Road Corridor, ‘After Six’ Spot, and ‘Lighter Inn’ Spot. The operation resulted in the arrest of 34 suspects, made up of 32 males and 2 females,” the police disclosed.

Motorbikes, suspected drugs, and foreign cigarettes were among the items retrieved.

“Police also retrieved 11 motorbikes, quantities of suspected narcotic substances, and assorted foreign cigarettes,” the statement added.

The police further indicated that some of the suspects have already been processed through court.

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“On the same date, the suspects were put before High Court Two, presided over by His Lordship Justice Ernest Pascal Gemadzie. Sixteen (16) suspects were remanded into Police custody to reappear before the court on 4th June 2026,” it revealed.

The remaining suspects are currently assisting police investigations, while efforts are underway to arrest other individuals linked to the criminal networks.



MAG/VPO

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