The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Special Operations Team has carried out a coordinated anti-narcotics operation in key parts of Tamale, Ghana, as security agencies step up efforts to curb the sale and consumption of opioids and other illicit drugs in the Northern Region.
The latest operation targeted the Central Business District and surrounding communities, including Gurugu and the Tamale bus stop, following intelligence reports identifying the areas as suspected drug activity hotspots. The exercise forms part of a broader, ongoing security strategy aimed at dismantling drug networks and restoring public safety.
Regional Scope of Operations
Similar enforcement actions have already been undertaken in other parts of the region, notably Yendi, Tolon, and Savelugu, underscoring the police administration’s resolve to address drug abuse across Northern Ghana rather than in isolated locations.
Police Report Progress
Addressing the media after the operation, the leader of the IGP Special Operations Team, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Abdul Bawah Jalil, said the intensified presence of the team has led to a noticeable decline in drug-related activities.
“Since our deployment to the Northern Region, drug activities have reduced drastically. Several suspects have been arrested, and many of the cases are currently before the courts. Some individuals have been remanded, while others have already been convicted,” he disclosed.
Judicial Support Highlighted
ASP Jalil praised the judiciary for its cooperation, describing the courts’ swift handling of cases as a key factor in the effectiveness of the operations.
“The support from the judicial system has been very helpful, and the IGP appreciates the continued collaboration,” he noted.
Warning Against Politicisation
The team leader emphasized that the crackdown is purely a security intervention aimed at protecting lives and property, cautioning against attempts to politicise the exercise or link it to traditional authority disputes.
“This fight is not about personalities or politics. It is about the collective peace and security of the people of the North. Tackling criminal networks is never easy, but we will not be distracted,” he said.
Appeal to Parents and Guardians
ASP Jalil also called on parents and guardians to play an active role in preventing drug abuse among the youth, warning that law enforcement will continue to act decisively against offenders.
“Parents must take responsibility for their children. Anyone found engaging in drug-related activities will be arrested and dealt with in accordance with the law,” he cautioned.
The Ghana Police Service says the operations will continue as part of sustained efforts to combat drug abuse and related crimes in the region.
Source: Africa Publicity
