The Northern Regional Special Operations Team of the Ghana Police Service, known as “Red Maria”, has arrested seven persons and retrieved 40 wraps of substances suspected to be Indian hemp, during a targeted anti-drug operation in the Tamale Metropolis.
The operation, conducted on Monday, April 20, 2026 at about 20:30 hours, formed part of routine efforts by the Police to clamp down on drug peddling and related criminal activities in the region.
This was contained in a press statement issued by the Public Relations Unit of the Northern Regional Police Command and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Tamale on Tuesday.
The statement said a team, comprising 44 personnel, carried out coordinated swoops at identified hotspots, including Zogbeli, Kukuo and later Savelugu, following intelligence gathered.
It said at Zogbeli, four suspects were apprehended – namely Sulemana Sualha, 20; Alhassan Ayisha, 25; Abdul Fatawu Damba, 16 and Mohammed Amin, 20.
It said the suspects were arrested for allegedly possessing and dealing in narcotic substances.
It said the team subsequently moved to Kukuo, where two additional suspects identified as Ibrahim Abdulai, 20 and Issah Abass, 17 were also arrested for similar offences.
The statement said acting on further intelligence the team extended the operation to Savelugu, where Ibrahim Osuman, 21, was arrested.
It said preliminary investigations suggested that he was involved in drug dealing activities.
It said a search conducted in his room, however, did not yield any incriminating substances.
It said in total, 40 wraps of substances suspected to be Indian hemp were retrieved during the operation.
It said seven suspects were currently in Police custody and were assisting with ongoing investigations.
GNA
