Ghana Police Arrest 186 in Massive Ashanti Region Crackdown on Human Trafficking and Organized Crime

The Ghana Police Service has executed a sweeping intelligence-led operation in the Ashanti Region, resulting in the arrest of 186 suspects linked to a transnational organized crime network. Conducted between June 8 and June 17, 2026, the operation was spearheaded by the Inspector-General of Police’s (IGP) Special Operations Team in collaboration with the Ashanti Regional Police Command. The crackdown specifically targeted sophisticated criminal activities, including human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and narcotics trafficking, with intensive raids focused on areas such as Asafo and Kenyase Aframa.

Among those apprehended are 86 Ghanaians, 96 Nigerians, and four Togolese nationals, highlighting the cross-border nature of the criminal enterprise. A significant breakthrough in the operation was the capture of a key suspect identified as Gladys Ibrahim, popularly known as ‘Mama Gee,’ along with other foreign nationals. During the multi-day raids, police successfully rescued numerous victims, including several minors, who have since been placed under protective care to ensure their safety and well-being as the legal process unfolds.

In a related judicial development, the Accra Circuit Court has remanded 43-year-old Eugenia Ifeoma, a Nigerian national, for her role in a similar trafficking scheme. Ifeoma was charged with human trafficking and illegal entry after allegedly recruiting two victims, aged 17 and 19, from Nigeria for the purposes of prostitution. The court heard evidence that she provided the victims with condoms and demanded daily payments while using threats to maintain control. Although Ifeoma pleaded guilty, she claimed ignorance of the law; she is scheduled for sentencing on June 29, 2026.

The Ghana Police Service has commended the professionalism of the tactical teams involved in these high-stakes operations, emphasizing that these arrests are a critical step in dismantling broader criminal syndicates. Authorities have indicated that investigations remain active as they work to track down remaining members of the network. This intensified enforcement effort signals a robust national stance against transnational crime and a renewed commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation and modern-day slavery.