40 suspected criminals rounded up in Ho

Ho, July 20, GNA - The Volta Regional Police Command has rounded up 40 suspected criminals in Ho as part of a crackdown on crime in the municipality.

Mr David Ampah-Bennin, Regional Police Commander, told the Ghana News Agency on Monday that a total of 21 persons, including two women, were arrested and are being investigated. He said the suspects are aged between 18 and 38 years.

He said the swoop which took place at 0330 hours on Monday around the Metro Mass Transit bus terminal near the Central Market, led to the discovery of 40 wrappers of whitish substances suspected to be cocaine.

Also discovered were a quantity of leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, and a bottle of akpeteshie laced with some leaves, knives, daggers, and a pair of scissors.

He said the Police also arrested two suspects and retrieved some items stolen from a medical Doctor's bungalow at the Ho medical village on July 10 this year.

One of the suspects arrested at Sokode-Gbogarme, Allan Gey Yaokuma, 31, was alleged to have broken into the doctor's bungalow, while Issah Ayittey, 28, from whom the items were retrieved was arrested near the Freedom Hotel.

The items retrieved were one scanner, one lap-top computer, two mobile phones, one diagnostic machine, and 550 United States dollars.

Mr Ampah-Bennin said his administration would open a police Post near the Medical village to ensure security at the place.

Angered by several break-ins into their bungalows last year, Medical Doctors at the Medical Village threatened not to respond to emergency calls at night, or seek transfers to more secure locations unless the security of their families and property were secured.

Mr Ampah-Bennin gave the assurance that the police would do its best to secure the lives and property of the public by taking the fight to criminals wherever they may be in the region.

He appealed for public co-operation and information on suspected criminals and their hide-outs.

GNA