BY Daniel Bampoe
The Ghana Police Service has arrested a total of 60 suspects across three regions as part of intensified security operations rolled out nationwide ahead of the Christmas festivities.
The coordinated, intelligence-led exercises were carried out in the Eastern, Upper East and Central regions, targeting drug peddling, illegal gaming, possession of ammunition and other suspected criminal activities.
The large-scale operations form part of the Police Service’s annual Christmas security strategy, which traditionally focuses on crime-prone communities and festive-season hotspots.
Over the years, the Service has intensified patrols and special swoops during Christmas to deter crime, protect lives and property, and boost public confidence amid increased travel and social activities.
In the Eastern Region, police operations conducted across several towns — including Nkwatia, Nkawkaw, Kwahu Tafo, Saafi, Trado, Kotokoso, Effiduase, Nteso, Somanya, Krobo Odumase and Juaben — led to the arrest of 41 suspects.
These arrests were made during targeted anti-crime exercises focused on known hideouts, drug peddling enclaves and areas previously linked to criminal activities.
Within the Eastern North enclave, the Police Command also carried out a detailed intelligence-led operation at Kwahu Nkwatia on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.
The exercise resulted in the arrest of three suspects and the retrieval of suspected narcotic drugs and ammunition.
At Kwayeano, a suburb of Nkwatia, police recovered 46 wraps of dried leaves suspected to be narcotic drugs during a cordon-and-search operation.
The operation later moved to an estate near the Nkwatia SDA School, where Kwame Asomani (27) and Kwasi Dwamena (25) were arrested with quantities of dried leaves suspected to be narcotic substances.
At Aduamoah, police arrested Kwadwo Ofori (45) for unlawfully possessing 10 rounds of BB ammunition.
The suspects remain in custody as investigations continue, with all exhibits secured for forensic analysis.
In the Upper East Region, police operations accounted for 12 arrests, made up of separate swoops in Paga and Navrongo.
At Paga, a border town known for cross-border movement, the Regional Police Command arrested four suspects on December 18, 2025.
The suspects — Kofi Boateng, Eric Owusu, Godwin Agosa (all porters) and Abdul Aziz Bukari, a driver’s mate — were picked up during a targeted operation along suspected drug and crime routes.
Items seized during the Paga operation included eight jackpot gaming machines, 13 rolls of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, three mobile phones, three scissors, three lighters, a power bank, an empty phone case, and GH¢25 in cash.
Still in the Upper East Region, the Navrongo Divisional Police Command conducted a special evening operation on December 18, 2025, covering identified crime hotspots within the township.
The exercise led to the arrest of eight suspects, namely Mohammed Nasiru (35), Pwoawuvi Isaac (24), Roger Kansah (35), Akinkana Akanpiiba (30), Kingsley Adafula (22), Abraham Akanporise (25), Zakaria Mohammed (25) and Clinton Atinmoliga (25).
Exhibits retrieved in Navrongo included tramadol tablets, seven pairs of scissors, a mobile phone, a television set and a motorcycle.
Police say the suspects are being screened, and those found culpable will be arraigned before court.
In the Central Region, the Police Command arrested seven suspects during a narcotics swoop in the Cape Coast Metropolis on Saturday, December 13, 2025.
The suspects — Robert Kobbina, Abu Issifu, Janet Mensah, Emmanuel Quarshie, Osei Boateng, Animful Emmanuel and Charity Nkrumah — were arrested at identified drug peddling locations including Effutu, Poly Amisano and Nkanfoa.
At Poly Amisano, a drinking spot operated by Janet Mensah yielded large quantities of cigarettes, tobacco products, lighters and three jackpot gaming machines, while four additional jackpot machines were seized at Nkanfoa.
In total, the Christmas security operations resulted in the arrest of 60 suspects across three regions, with dozens of exhibits retrieved, including narcotic drugs, ammunition, gaming machines and suspected stolen items.
