The Ghana Police Service has arrested 24 suspected criminals, including alleged drug peddlers, during a major intelligence-led operation carried out across several communities in the Ashanti Region.

The operation, conducted by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Special Operations Team (SOT) in collaboration with the Ashanti Regional Police Command, formed part of ongoing efforts to combat drug-related offences, violent crime and other criminal activities while enhancing public safety.

The coordinated exercise was undertaken in Kodie, Apagya, Dechemso, Old Tafo Ahenbronum, Ahodwo and Abofour, where police targeted suspected drug trafficking networks and other criminal elements.

In all, 24 suspects comprising 21 men and three women were arrested. They include Richmond Okyere, 49, who was allegedly found in possession of a pump-action gun bearing serial number 21GN-1918.

The other suspects are Mark Appiah Kubi, Nkrumah Zakaria, 23; Paul Addo, 62; Louis Samba, 26; Azupeh Kelvin, 28; Stephen Opoku, 24; Fredrick Boakye, 20; Frimpong Yiadom, 33; Dennis Owusu, 21; Alfred Agyeman, 25; Owusu Davis, 24; Kwaku Agyemang Duah, 35; Akwasi Amankwah, 35; Solomon Asamoah, 27; Bushiru Alhassan, 19; Juliana Vivor, 17; Douglas Osei, 28; Kwabena Aikins, 38; Osman Ibrahim, 31; Amponsah Emmanuel, 40; Kwabena Fosu, 39; Ama Pokuah, 35; and Musah Haruna, 32.

Police also recovered a significant quantity of suspected narcotic substances and other exhibits during the operation. The items included an unregistered Toyota Highlander, an unregistered Toyota Camry saloon car, a Mercedes-Benz saloon vehicle with registration number AS 8724-Z, an unregistered motorcycle, a pump-action gun, seven rounds of RED-STAR AAA cartridges, a fireproof high-security safe, 489 pieces of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis, parcels and sealed packages of suspected narcotic substances, 90 tablets of 225mg Tramadol, 140 tablets of 250mg Tramadol, 11 tablets of Royal 225mg, 38 narcotics processing materials, bottles of Femude drink suspected to be laced with narcotic substances, 40 locally made toffees suspected to contain narcotic substances, a Dell laptop, two LED television sets, three boxes of African Viagra, 52 lighters, 12 crushers, four quantities of ash residue believed to be associated with narcotics use, and various sums of money suspected to be proceeds from the illicit drug trade.

According to the police, all the suspects are currently in custody assisting with investigations, while the recovered exhibits have been retained as evidence. The Service indicated that any suspect found culpable after investigations would be arraigned before the courts.

In a statement signed by the Head of the Public Affairs Unit of the Ashanti Regional Police Command, Deputy Superintendent of Police Godwin Ahianyo, the Ghana Police Service reaffirmed its commitment to sustained intelligence-led operations aimed at tackling drug trafficking, violent crime and other forms of criminality.

The Service also appealed to members of the public to continue supporting law enforcement efforts by volunteering credible information on criminal activities through the nearest police station or the designated emergency channels.