The Ashanti South Regional Police Command has confirmed the arrest of multiple suspects in connection with the unlawful possession and distribution of narcotic substances following an intelligence-led operation in the Manso Adubia District.

The swoop forms part of a broader effort to clamp down on drug peddling and related crimes across the region.

According to a press release issued by the Ashanti South Regional Headquarters of the Ghana Police Service, four suspects were arrested during coordinated operations in local ghettos and residential areas.

Those apprehended include Mohammed Iddrisu, aged 47; Dickson Fosuhene, also known as Panda, aged 27; Cletus Nyaaba, aged 19; and Emmanuel Asare, aged 21.

The police revealed that during the arrest of Mohammed Iddrisu, they discovered 550 wraps of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, 82 sachets of 250 mg taramaking tablets, and a cash amount of GHS 11,340. In a separate incident involving suspects Dickson Fosuhene and Emmanuel Asare, police retrieved 120 wraps of suspected Indian hemp, 150 sachets of taramaking tablets, and a cash amount of $12,000.

Cletus Nyaaba was also apprehended with 150 wraps of dried leaves believed to be Indian hemp.

“Intelligence also led to the house of suspect Thunder who is said to be the source of supplies of these contraband goods, but he absconded upon getting a hint of the operation”
Ashanti South Regional Headquarters of the Ghana Police Service

A search of Thunder’s residence yielded 28 boxes of 250 mg taramaking tablets, 54 boxes of 250 mg timiking tablets, 22 slabs of compressed dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, 374 wraps of the same substance, and a cash amount of $25,000.

According to the Ghana Police Service, the coordinated actions fall under a region-wide campaign to suppress drug use and trafficking, which have been identified as drivers of various violent crimes. These include robbery, murder, assault, public disturbances, and connections to illegal mining activities.

“The swoop on ghettos is aimed at combating the peddling and use of narcotic drugs.”

The abuse of regulated drugs such as taramaking and timiking, especially among the youth, remains a national concern. The service referenced the public impact of TV3 journalist Godwin Asediba’s investigative documentary highlighting the growing misuse of trimaking, known popularly on the streets as “wonim red.”

All four suspects are currently being processed for court as police continue investigations and pursue the fugitive suspect Thunder.

Arms Discovery in Fomena

In a related development, the Fomena District Police Command recovered a cache of firearms and ammunition believed to have been abandoned in a vehicle driven by a spare driver.

According to the police briefing, the vehicle owner handed the car to a known spare driver identified only as Kwaku, alias Zador, on May 9, 2025, with instructions to return it by May 11.

After Kwaku failed to meet the agreed deadline, the vehicle was retrieved from him by the owner at Kwabenakwa, a suburb of Obuasi. A subsequent search uncovered two pump-action guns, 23 rounds of AA ammunition, and three rounds of BB ammunition.

The Police have called on the public to play a more active role in the fight against drug trafficking and crime. The Ashanti South Regional Command reiterated its commitment to intensifying efforts to root out criminal elements from communities.

“Once again, the Ashanti South Police Command is advising criminals that it is about time they give up on acts of criminality and resort to decent means of livelihood”
Ashanti South Regional Headquarters of the Ghana Police Service

Citizens are encouraged to share timely information with law enforcement to enhance public safety across the region.