The Upper East Regional Police Command arrested 16 suspects and seized firearms, ammunition, suspected narcotic substances and other items during a security operation at the Gbane mining site in the Talensi District on Tuesday, October 13.
The operation involved personnel from the National Police Intelligence Directorate, the Upper East Regional Police Intelligence Directorate, the Special Operations Team known as Black Cobra, and the Tongo District Police Command. A statement issued by the command on Wednesday, October 14, said 10 suspects were taken into custody by police, while a military team from the 11 Mechanised Battalion arrested six additional suspects in a related operation.
Police recovered 104 live AA cartridges, 37 wraps of suspected Indian hemp, 12 mobile phones and seven security uniforms bearing the name Nalamtaaba. Other seized items included seven body armours, two pepper sprays, four torch lights, a knife, a weapon bag and a set of walkie‑talkies. The military team also recovered two pump‑action guns and 105 live AA cartridges.
The six suspects and the items seized were handed over to the police in Bolgatanga for further investigation. The 16 suspects remain in police custody and are assisting with investigations; they are expected to be brought before the court.
Patrols are continuing in communities around the mining site to maintain peace and order, the command said.
