Ghana Law Enforcement Intensifies Crackdown on Drug Trafficking, Cybercrime, and Utility Theft

Ghanaian law enforcement agencies have conducted a series of high-profile operations across the country, resulting in over 20 arrests and the disruption of major criminal activities. In the Northern Region, police successfully dismantled a drug distribution network, while a joint task force in the capital region apprehended individuals involved in sophisticated cyber fraud and human trafficking. These coordinated efforts underscore a heightened commitment by the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), and utility providers to safeguard national security and public resources.

In Tamale, the Northern Regional Police Intelligence Directorate arrested Lukman Karim, a farmer from Diare, for allegedly supplying Indian hemp. During the operation, Karim attempted to bribe officers with GH"20,000 to secure his release, an offer that was flatly rejected. Police seized two and a half large sacks of soya beans used to conceal the illicit substance and are currently pursuing an accomplice identified as Alhaji Moro. Simultaneously, the Northern Regional Police Command’s special operations team, known as ‘Red Maria,’ conducted raids in Gurugu, Gumani, Kanvilli, and Gbela. This crackdown led to the arrest of 10 additional suspects, aged 20 to 56, and the confiscation of quantities of Indian hemp, tramadol, and three motorbikes.

In a separate major operation targeting digital and organized crime, a joint team comprising the IGP’s cyber vetting unit, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), and the GIS arrested 12 foreign nationals. The suspects, primarily of Nigerian descent, are accused of operating a hub for internet fraud, identity theft, and mobile money scams, as well as involvement in human trafficking. During the raid, the suspects attempted to hinder the officers by releasing dogs, though law enforcement successfully secured the premises. Authorities seized 25 laptops and seven mobile phones, highlighting the growing link between cyber-syndicates and illegal migration networks.

Beyond criminal syndicates, Ghana Water Limited (GWL) has moved to protect essential infrastructure by uncovering a massive illegal water connection in the Tema Industrial Area. Officials discovered a four-inch pipe siphoning treated water from a 15-inch main line near the DVLA office, which was being sold to private tanker operators. The suspected mastermind, Nana Sarpong (alias Naspon), fled before he could be apprehended. GWL officials noted that such thefts cause significant non-revenue water losses and have urged the public to provide information on similar activities, promising to protect the identities of informants as national enforcement teams continue their investigations.