The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Special Operations Team has conducted another major swoop in parts of Tamale, including the Central Business District, as efforts intensify to clamp down on criminals involved in the sale and use of opioids and other illicit drugs.
The exercise is part of a series of targeted interventions in the Northern Region, following growing concerns over rising levels of drug abuse.
During the latest operation, the team visited Gurugu, the Tamale bus stop, and several other locations identified through intelligence reports as hotspots for suspicious drug-related activity.
Similar swoops have been carried out in Yendi, Tolon, and Savelugu as part of a broader strategy to flush out illegal drug dealers and users across the region.
Speaking to the media, the leader of the IGP Special Operations Team, ASP Abdul Bawah Jalil, said drug use and trafficking have reduced significantly since the team’s deployment to the Northern Region.
“Drug activities have gone down drastically. Since our arrival, we have arrested several suspects, many of whom are currently before the courts, with some remanded and others already sentenced,” he said.
ASP Jalil commended the judiciary for its support, describing its contribution as crucial to the success of the operations.
“The judicial system has been very helpful, and the IGP is grateful for the support we continue to receive,” he added.
He stressed that the ongoing crackdown is being carried out in the interest of peace and security in Northern Ghana, cautioning that the fight against criminal networks will not be deterred by attempts to politicise or link the issue to traditional authority.
“When you fight criminal networks, it is never easy. Some people try to use politics or chieftaincy, but this fight is not about individuals — it is for the collective interest of the people of the North,” he stated.
ASP Jalil also appealed to parents and guardians to take responsibility for their children and discourage them from drug abuse, warning that offenders will be dealt with according to the law.
“Parents should ensure their children stay away from drugs. If not, we will continue to arrest them and allow the law to take its course,” he cautioned.
