A total of 19 suspects including three serving soldiers have been arrested by the police in Tamale for possession and use of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp [wee].
The Inspector General of Police’s (IGP) Special Operations Team arrested them in Tamale.
Seven additional suspects were arrested within the barracks enclave for possessing various quantities of the suspected substance, along with quantities of Koffex cough syrup.
In separate operations, two other individuals were arrested in the Water Works area for offences including the possession of suspected narcotics, while seven persons were picked up at the Aboabo Market for possessing various quantities of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.
All the suspects were arrested last Monday during the team’s routine operational activities within the Tamale metropolis, as part of an intensified security initiative aimed at combating criminal activities, including robbery, kidnapping, drug peddling, sexual offences, attacks on mobile money vendors, and other related crimes.
“Additionally, three individuals who identified themselves as military persons were arrested at the same location for possession and use of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp,” a police situational report said.
“Following formal verification of their identities by the team, which confirmed that they were military persons, arrangements were made for their collection by the regional Military Police Command for further action to be taken,” it added.
It said the action was carried out strictly in accordance with Police Service Instructions (SI) 167, which governs the handling of service personnel involved in criminal matters.
All other suspects, it said, were detained at the Sakasaka Police Station pending further investigations.
“All exhibits were secured and retained for forensic examination and evidential purposes,” the report said.
The report said a total of 105 personnel, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Bawah Abdul Jalil and DSP Philip Perdison, conducted operations within the metropolis.
Source: Graphic Online.
