A suspected drug kingpin has been arrested during an intelligence-led joint security operation at Kongo in the Nabadam District of the Upper East Region.
The suspect, identified as Kwabena David, popularly known as “Boo”, was arrested at about 0500 hours on Tuesday following a coordinated operation involving personnel from Army Intelligence, Defence Intelligence, the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI).
A search conducted at the suspect’s residence led to the retrieval of quantities of suspected Red/Red tablets, believed to be Tramadol, and an unspecified quantity of suspected Indian hemp.
The suspect has since been handed over to the Upper East Regional Police Command to assist with investigations and possible prosecution.
Security sources alleged that the suspect had previously escaped arrest during an earlier security operation in the district.
The sources further mentioned that he led an attack on a police officer with the intention of lynching him and forcibly took the officer’s service pistol. The weapon was later recovered through the intervention of a traditional ruler.
According to the sources, the suspect is also said to have been operating a drug den, locally referred to as a “ghetto”, at Kongo, where criminal elements were said to converge while exposing young people in the community to substance abuse and other unlawful activities.
The security sources further indicated that the suspect had been engaged in the wholesale and retail distribution of Red/Red tablets, particularly Tramadol 225mg and 250mg, within the district and its surrounding communities.
During preliminary interrogation, the suspect reportedly admitted to operating the illicit drug business from his residence for more than three years.
The security agencies have assured residents of the Nabadam District of their commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations aimed at combating drug trafficking and other criminal activities.
They appealed to the public to continue collaborating with the security services by providing credible information to facilitate the arrest and prosecution of persons engaged in illicit drug trafficking and related offences.
Story by: Kekeli K. Blamey
