Eighty arrested as police launch massive anti-crime swoop in Upper East Region

A major coordinated crackdown across five districts in the Upper East Region has led to the arrest of 80 suspects and the seizure of ammunition, motorbikes, and large quantities of illegal drugs.

The 10-day intelligence-led swoop, which ran from 25 May to 3 June 2026, was executed by the Upper East Regional Police Command with tactical support from the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Special Operations Team.

Officers targeted known criminal hideouts across Bolgatanga, Zuarungu, Tongo, Bongo, and Nabdam.

Providing a breakdown of the operation, the Upper East Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Inspector Abdul-Rahman Sumaila, confirmed that the largest number of arrests occurred in Bongo, where officers apprehended 34 suspects, comprising 32 males and two females.

In the Nabdam District, a raid spanning Pelungu, Kongo, and Nangodi resulted in 14 arrests, while 20 suspects were picked up in the regional capital, Bolgatanga.

A further 12 individuals, including three Nigerian nationals and one Ghanaian woman, were detained during a raid in Zuarungu.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects were involved in narcotics peddling and consumption, as well as other criminal activities,” Chief Inspector Sumaila stated.

Search teams recovered a significant haul of contraband during the operation.

In Nabdam, police discovered parcels and sacks of dried leaves suspected to be narcotics, alongside alcoholic beverages believed to be laced with drugs, an unregistered motorbike, foreign cigarettes, and components of a casino jackpot machine.

Raids in Bolgatanga yielded additional quantities of suspected Indian hemp, three motorbikes—including a black Yamaha Sirius and a black Luojia—and another casino jackpot machine.

Meanwhile, a search operation in Bongo uncovered two motorbikes and three rounds of 5.56×45mm NATO ammunition. Officers in Tongo also seized foreign cigarettes, condoms, a motorbike, and additional quantities of suspected cannabis.

The Police Command has confirmed that the multi-district operation has significantly disrupted local criminal networks.

“All suspects are in police custody and will be put before the court to face the full rigours of the law,” Chief Inspector Sumaila added.