A combined police force in the Brong Ahafo Region have arrested 13 suspects during a dawn swoop for possessing dried leaves suspected to be Indian Hemp.

The police, comprising personnel from Berekum, Sunyani and Wenchi Divisions, said they would continue the swoop to ensure security for the people before, during and after the Christmas and New Year festivities.

A statement signed by Inspector Yaw Nketia-Yeboah, Brong Ahafo Regional Public Affairs Officer, said the operation team led by the Regional Crime Officer, Superintendent Charles Domanban, first arrested 30-year old Kwadwo Moaba, unemployed, with a quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp at Bethel in Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo region.

He said Moaba later named another suspect, who is on the run, as his supplier of the dried leaves.

It said Moaba led the police to a house at Sunyani Zongo where eight bags of the dried leaves were found.

The statement said a further search in the house uncovered additional quantity of the substance hidden in a corn milling shop under some cement papers.

It said Lucy Amisangah, a caretaker of the house, Francis Eklu Ayiwey, 50, a cement paper seller, Kwabena Tawiah, 45, a corn miller, together with nine others were also arrested in the house.

Addressing the patrol team after the exercise, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr Seth Charles Oteng, Brong-Ahafo Regional Commander, praised the personnel for the successful exercise.

He assured the general public of regular swoops in other parts of the region to arrest criminals and appealed for information on criminals from the general public.

He advised personnel never to compromise their professional integrity.

GNA
AA