RED MARIA Anti-Crime Raid: 12 Arrest, Weapons and Narcotics Seized in Tamale

​The Northern Regional Police Command has dealt a significant blow to criminal networks in the Tamale Metropolis following a high-impact, intelligence-led operation conducted by its elite RED MARIA squad. The targeted raid, designed to curb illicit drug trade and violent crime across key hotspots, led to the arrest of twelve suspects along with the recovery of illegal firearms and prescription narcotics. Police authorities confirmed that the sweep forms part of an intensified regional campaign to restore public order and dismantle criminal syndicates operating within the metropolis.

​The operation unfolded across two distinct suburbs in Tamale, yielding critical evidence at each location. In Fuo, officers swooped in on a suspected drug den, arresting seven individuals allegedly caught engaging in illicit drug use. Meanwhile, a strategic search conducted in Kukuo resulted in the apprehension of five additional suspects after officers uncovered an arsenal of deadly weapons, including two locally manufactured pistols and a pump-action shotgun, hidden within the community.

​In addition to the firearms, the RED MARIA team confiscated a notable quantity of illegal substances during the raid. The seized contraband included six sachets of high-potency Tramadol (250mg) and 25 individual wraps of suspected Indian hemp, pointing toward active distribution networks in the area. Both the arrested individuals and all recovered exhibits have since been processed and handed over to the Regional Criminal Investigation Department (CID) alongside the Drug Law Enforcement Unit (DLEU) for comprehensive interrogation and forensic testing.

​Commending the RED MARIA unit for its swift execution and operational excellence, the Northern Regional Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to prosecuting the offenders. Police officials confirmed that all twelve suspects will be formally arraigned in court as soon as preliminary investigations conclude. The command has also assured residents that aggressive crime prevention sweeps will continue across Tamale to guarantee safety, deter drug-related offenses, and eliminate unlicenced weapons from the region.

@Volta Today