Kumasi residents hail police sustained crack-down on narcotic trade

Police intensified crack-down on narcotic dealers and users in Kumasi has attracted commendation from residents.

People in notorious drug hubs in the city say they are happy, especially, about the consistency and professional approach by police to curb the menace.

Uniformed and plain-clothed personnel have been swooping on suspected dealers and users at Tinka Island, Colombia, Old Suame and Sokoban Wood Village, among others.

It follows a recent interception of a Kumasi-bound fuel tanker which was carrying 300 slabs of compressed dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp from Kwame Danso in the Bono Ahafo Region.

Earlier, a man described by police as one of the kin-pins of the drug trade in Kumasi had been arrested at Atonsu.

ASP Yussif Mohammed Tanko who speaks for the Ashanti Regional Police Command says police is committed to maintaining security in the region.

“It’s about commitment. It’s about the resolve to do the right thing. It’s about knowing your priority as a security institution and taking the right measure to ensure you deal with the situation”

More police officers have been deployed for surveillance in known drug hubs. This means residents are free to go about their businesses without fear.

Drug related crimes such as armed robbery and pick-pocketing have dropped significantly at Dr. Mensah, Alabar and Central Market.

Manhyia Divisional Command under which some drug hubs fall within for instance, has not recorded any robbery for the past one week.

To the police, that has not come as a surprise.
“As a police institution, we need to do something because that why we are paid; that is why we exist so if we are not able to do this, then what we are doing” ASP Yussif Tanko quizzed.

Some residents in targeted areas who have been speaking with Nhyira News confirm police assertion of improved security.

Respondents are particularly excited about deployment of police personnel in and around known drug hubs, and appeal for a sustained effort.

Some suspected criminals have had their photograph and fingerprints taken at the scene of the police operation at Tinka Island.

Manhyia Divisional Commander, ACP George Tweneboah, says police is winning the fight against narcotic sale and use.

“We are winning the fight, we are still on them. Some have moved to Abbeys Park, some have moved to KO; some have moved to Amakom area. We are on them” declared ACP Tweneboah.

Story by Ghana/Nhyira Fm/Ohemeng Tawiah