27 Suspects Arrested in Major Anti-Drug Crackdown in Northern Region

The Northern Regional Police Command, working with the Inspector-General of Police’s Special Operations Team, has arrested 27 suspects in a major crackdown on drug peddling and related crimes across the Northern Region.

The arrests took place on November 19, 2025, during coordinated swoops on several drug hotspots in Tamale and surrounding communities.

Those picked up 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 and Issah Latifa, along with others yet to be identified.

Police retrieved dried leaves suspected to be cannabis, packaged in polythene bags, as well as five motorbikes believed to have been used to support the illegal trade.

Further operations in other parts of the Tamale metropolis led to additional arrests, bringing the total number to 27. All suspects have been handed over to the Northern Regional Drug Law Enforcement Unit to assist with 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. Another suspect was charged with unlawful possession of arms and ammunition. They all pleaded not guilty and were granted bail.

The remaining 18 suspects have been remanded into police custody as investigations continue.

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