Police in the Northern Region of Ghana have arrested 12 people and seized several firearms and suspected narcotics during a special operation in Tamale. The operation, carried out by the Northern Regional Special Operations Team, known as RED MARIA, targeted areas in Fuo and Kukuo. The arrests were made on Thursday, 8 October 2026, at about 09:30 GMT. The operation resulted in the detention of seven suspects in Fuo for alleged drug use.
In Kukuo, five additional people were arrested, including three found with weapons during room searches. Officers recovered two locally manufactured pistols, one pump-action gun, six sachets of Tramadol 250mg, and 25 wraps of suspected Indian hemp. The suspects and seized items have been handed over to the Regional Criminal Investigations Department and the Drug Law Enforcement Unit for further investigation. The police have commended the RED MARIA team for their intelligence-led action.
A statement issued by the police assured that those arrested would face prosecution through the courts. The police also promised to provide further updates as investigations continue. The operation is part of ongoing efforts to combat crime and drug use in the region. The arrests and seizures are significant, given the concerns about drug use and trafficking in Ghana.
The issue of drug use and trafficking has been a pressing concern in Ghana, with several high-profile cases reported in recent years. In August 2026, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia called for a bipartisan probe into the country's growing notoriety for drugs. The government has also been working to address the issue, including the establishment of a 30-acre hybrid shea tree demonstration farm in Tamale.
The Catholic Bishops Conference has also spoken out about the issue, stating that drug cases are disgracing Ghana before the world. The conference called on the government to take action to address the problem. The police operation in Tamale is part of a broader effort to tackle crime and drug use in the region.
The RED MARIA team is a special operations unit that has been established to tackle crime in the Northern Region. The team's operations have been praised by the police and the public for their effectiveness in reducing crime. The arrests and seizures made in Tamale are a significant achievement for the team.
The police have assured the public that they will continue to work to address crime and drug use in the region. The investigation into the arrested suspects and seized items is ongoing, and further updates will be provided as necessary. The police have also called on the public to provide support and cooperation in their efforts to tackle crime.
Key points
- 12 people arrested in Tamale for alleged drug use and possession of firearms
- Police seize two locally manufactured pistols, one pump-action gun, and suspected narcotics
- Operation part of ongoing efforts to combat crime and drug use in Ghana's Northern Region
