IGP’s Special Operations Team arrests 74 suspects in anti-narcotics and crime suppression operations in Upper East Region

The Ghana Police Service has announced the arrest of 74 suspects during two separate intelligence-led operations targeting narcotics trafficking, violent crime and other criminal activities in the Upper East Region.

According to the Police, the operations were carried out by the Inspector-General of Police’s Special Operations Team at Paga and within the Navrongo Municipality.

The first operation, conducted on May 20, 2026, at Paga within the Ghana–Burkina Faso border buffer zone, led to the arrest of 40 suspects, made up of 28 males and 12 females.

Police said the suspects included 23 Ghanaians, eight Nigerians, six Burkinabés, one Malian and one Togolese national.

Exhibits retrieved during the operation included parcels and sacks of suspected narcotic substances as well as five motorbikes believed to have been used for distribution activities.

In a second operation conducted on May 22, 2026, the police carried out a swoop at identified criminal hotspots in the Navrongo Municipality, including the Condemned Road Corridor, “After Six” Spot and “Lighter Inn” Spot.

That operation resulted in the arrest of 34 additional suspects, comprising 32 males and two females.

Police also retrieved 11 motorbikes, quantities of suspected narcotic substances and assorted foreign cigarettes.

According to the Police Service, the suspects were arraigned before High Court Two, presided over by Justice Ernest Pascal Gemadzie, on the same date.

Sixteen suspects were remanded into Police custody and are expected to reappear before the court on June 4, 2026, while the remaining 22 suspects are currently being profiled for further action.

The Police stated that all suspects remain in custody assisting investigations as efforts continue to identify and arrest other persons connected to criminal activities in the affected areas.