Police arrest 27 suspects in major anti-drug operation in Northern Region

The Northern Regional Police Command, in conjunction with the Inspector-General of Police’s Special Operations Team, has apprehended 27 suspects in a large-scale operation targeting drug peddling and associated crimes in the Northern Region.

The arrests were carried out on November 19, 2025, during synchronized raids on several notorious drug hotspots in and around Tamale.

Those apprehended include Iddrisu Abdul Bassit, Iddrisu Sadick, Yawuza Hishan, Yakubu Yussif, Alhassan Abukari, Mutaru Daniel Fisco, Ibrahim Abdul Wakil, Hawa Abdul Rahman, Latifa Iddrisu, Mariam Fuseini, Ibrahim Sadia, Alima Iddrisu, Issah Latifa, as well as others yet to be identified.

According to police, dried leaves suspected to be cannabis—packaged in polythene bags—were retrieved during the operations, along with five motorbikes believed to have been used to support the illicit activities.

In the aftermath of the initial operation, law enforcement agencies conducted further operations in other areas of the Tamale metropolis, resulting in additional arrests and increasing the total number of suspects to 27.

All suspects have been handed over to the Northern Regional Drug Law Enforcement Unit to assist with ongoing investigations. On Friday, November 21, nine suspects — five females and four males — were arraigned before the Tamale Circuit Court and charged with possession of narcotic drugs without lawful authority. Additionally, one suspect was charged with unlawful possession of arms and ammunition.

All 10 suspects pleaded not guilty and were granted bail. The remaining 18 suspects are currently being held in police custody as investigations continue.

This information was contained in a statement signed by C/Inspector Alhassan Luckman Niendow, Northern Regional Police PRO, dated November 25.