376 Arrested In Dawn Swoops …Cash, Condoms, Marijuana Seized

A combined team of Military and police personnel yesterday descended on parts of the Northern, Central and Western regions, in a bid to rid the country of criminals.

In all, over 370 people were arrested, while various items, including unspecified amounts of cash, marijuana, condoms, laptops, and motorbikes were seized.

At Gomoa Budumburam in the Gomoa East District, a team comprising about 400 military officers and 200 police officers swooped down on the Central Regional town, which has gained notoriety for violent crimes in recent times. Police reports say 141 suspected criminals were arrested in that joint operation alone.

Sources say the team arrived at the former Liberia camp at around 12 midnight to begin the operation. Some residents who spoke to the media expressed mixed reaction to the exercise.

According to the Chairman of the Liberian community, Reverend Father Eddie Devine Henneys, says the exercise will help raid the Budumburam Camp of criminals.

The early morning operation by the security team has earned high praise from the residents.

“They are very happy and commended the joint military and police team for arresting some suspected criminals who have been terrorising residents,” the reporter added.

It is recalled that two traffic police officers – Sergeant Michael Dzamesi and Lance Corporal Mohammed Awal – were shot and killed two weeks ago by a gang, when they were accosted after refusing to heed to a signal to stop.

This week, a sub-chief at Gomoa Akranmang, Nana Yaw Egyir, was gruesomely murdered by a mob allegedly following disagreements over a disputed land.

In a similar fashion, the Western Naval Command, in a joint military-police operation, around European Town and the Albert Busumtwi-Sam fishing Habour in Sekondi have arrested 213 suspects who had in their possession, substances believed to be Indian hemp, money and condoms.

ACP Edmund Ohene Bosompim who is the Deputy Western Regional Police Commander said the swoop was to improve the state of insecurity in the area.

“There are cases of kidnapping, armed robbery, murder, drug-related offences. Such cases are not only worrisome but also create security concerns. As law enforcement agencies, we have the mandate to ensure that people within the region are well protected to be able to attend to their business and activities.

“For this reason, this exercise was conducted. At the end of the exercise, the total number of suspects arrested were 213 made up of 194 males and 19 females. Dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemps, toffees suspected to be laced with narcotic substances, alcoholic beverages suspected to be laced with narcotic substances. Eight TV sets, five laptops and two decoders. Eight TV sets, laptops, and condoms.”