213 persons suspected to be engaging in crime and other crime related activities have been rounded up in a joint security operation dubbed Operation Calm Life in Sekondi–Takoradi in the Western Region.The operation was done with a total number of 400 security personnel drawn from the various Western regional security agencies and was supported with one helicopter, one Naval ship, two Naval boats and one marine police boat.
The suspects were arrested in “ghettos” at European Town and the Albert Bosomtwi Sam Fishing Harbor.
Addressing the media at a joint press conference at the Western Naval Command, Deputy Western Region Police Commander ACP Eugene Ohene Bosompem said the suspects are made up of 194 males and 19 females and are yet to be screened.
“We retrieved from their hideouts quantities of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, toffees suspected to be laced with narcotic substances, quantity of tablets suspected to be tramadol and alcoholic beverages suspected to be laced with narcotic substances”.
“Eight TV sets, five laptops, two decoders, gaming equipment, quantities of condoms and a cash amount of GHC23,997.50 were also found with them”, ACP Eugene Ohene Bosompim added.
Rationale for Operation
ACP Eugene Bosompim explained that in recent times there have been reported cases of kidnapping, armed robbery, murder, drug related cases and other offences.
“Such cases are not only worrisome but also of great security concern to all of us. And as law enforcement agencies we have the mandate to ensure that people within the region are well protected to be able to attend to their legitimate businesses or activities therefore the Operation Calm Life”.
Scourge of kidnapping
Responding to questions on recent kidnappings and its attendant cloud of fear in the region Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command Commodore Osei Kufour stressed that security measures like the “Operation Calm Life” is one sure way of identifying potential breeding grounds for criminals so as to take the necessary action.
“You will be surprised that among the suspects we have arrested may be the kidnappers you are referring to. You cannot isolate the crimes of kidnapping from drug users and peddlers”.
He observed that “so the idea of targeting criminals and where they find refuge or their infrastructure and where they are able to launch their operations from is very laudable because by doing so we may be removing them from the streets and amongst us”.
ACP Ohene Bosompim on his part parried the notion that the Western Region has become a safe haven for kidnappers.
By Eric Yaw Adjei|3news.com|Western Region|Ghana