IGP Special Operations Team Arrests 93 Suspects in Major Anti-Drug Crackdown Across Ashanti Region
Intelligence-led operations across Kumasi and surrounding communities lead to the seizure of suspected narcotics and the arrest of dozens of Ghanaians and foreign nationals.
- Police arrested 93 suspects, including 28 Nigerian nationals, during coordinated anti-drug operations
- Officers seized suspected narcotics, Tramadol, Ecstasy, cocaine, drug-processing materials and other exhibits
- Investigators are probing possible links to human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Special Operations Team (SOT) has arrested 93 suspects during a series of intelligence-led anti-drug operations conducted across Kumasi, its surrounding communities and the Atwima Nwabiagya Municipality in the Ashanti Region.
The coordinated operation, carried out between July 15 and July 24, 2026, forms part of the Ghana Police Service’s ongoing efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking, dismantle organised criminal networks and improve public safety.
The raids targeted several identified drug trafficking hotspots and criminal hideouts, including Afari, Nkawie, Ntobroso, Ahodwo, Ampabame, Atonsu Ahensan, Atonsu Gyinyase, Thinker at Alabar, Asokore Mampong, Sawaba Adinyase, Buobai, Atimatim, Kronum and Sawaba.
In total, police arrested 58 men and 35 women.
Preliminary investigations indicate that 65 of the suspects are Ghanaians, while 28 are Nigerian nationals.
Among those arrested are Nurudeen Gafaru (28), Abdul Gafaru (29), Iddrisu Alhassan, also known as “Tagor” (33), Akwasi Afriyie (27), and Prince Chidera Okekelawe (25), a Nigerian national.
During the operation, police recovered 40 compressed parcels, each weighing about one kilogram, of substances suspected to be narcotic drugs. Officers also seized quantities of Tramadol (120mg, 225mg and 250mg), Ecstasy, suspected cocaine, dried leaves believed to be narcotics, locally manufactured narcotic-infused toffees and beverages, drug-processing materials, an unregistered red motorcycle, and unregistered as well as expired pharmaceutical products.
Police further disclosed that investigations uncovered suspected commercial sexual exploitation activities at one of the locations raided. Authorities say further investigations are underway to determine possible links to organised exploitation networks, human trafficking and immigration-related offences.
All 93 suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue and legal proceedings are initiated.
