By Solomon Gumah
Tamale, April 17, GNA -The Northern Regional Special Operations Team of the Ghana Police Service has arrested 21 suspects for alleged involvement in drug peddling within the Tamale Metropolis.
The operation, dubbed: “Red Maria”, was carried out on April 16, 2026, at about 1130 hours under the leadership of Chief Inspector Abu Issahaku as part of routine efforts to clamp down on the sale and distribution of narcotic substances.
This was in a statement issued by the Public Relations Unit of the Northern Regional Police Command and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Tamale.
The statement said the team first conducted a swoop at the NOBISCO Forest enclave where 11 suspects were arrested.
It gave their names as Abdul Fatawu, 24; Mohammed Yahaya, 40; Awal Ishmael, 22; Tatanu Alhassan, 18; Issahaku Nurudeen, 20; Sayibu Abdul Latif, 35; Ibrahim Muksin, 26; Mikdad Sulemana, 29; Alhassan Yakubu, 27; Alhassan Yakubu, 18; and Mohammed Rafew, 22.
It said the team subsequently moved to the Aboabo Forest area and arrested 10 additional suspects whose names arr Rahid Malithi, 23; Bashiru Abdul Kadir, 19; Abu Naeem, 18; Kasim Nuhu, 32; Atiwu Saidu, 31; Abdul Hamin, 22; Malik Sani, 26; Yahaya Hafiz, 32; Abdul Jamel, 39; and Mohammed Haruna, 28.
The statement said Mohammed Haruna was found in possession of four parcels of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp at the time of arrest.
It said preliminary investigations identified him as a suspected dealer, and he subsequently led Police to his residence at Yong Village where additional parcel of the suspected substance was retrieved.
It said a further search at another residence belonging to the suspect at Bamvim led to the retrieval of 106 parcels of dried leaves, also suspected to be Indian hemp.
The statement said, “In all, 111 parcels of the suspected substance were retrieved during the operation.”
The statement said all 21 suspects were in Police custody and assisting with investigations while efforts were underway to process them for court.
GNA
Edited by Eric K. Amoh/George-Ramsey Benamba