Some 213 suspected criminals have been arrested at European Town and Albert Bosomtwi-Sam Fishing Harbour at Sekondi in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis.

The swoop was on Thursday, 12 September 2019 by the security agencies in the Western Region.

Of the 213 rounded up, 194 are males and 19 females, Western regional correspondent Simon Ahensah, reported.

The swoop, dubbed "Operation Calm Life" started around 4 a.m. with a total of 400 security personnel.

It comes on the back of a rise in the spate of kidnapping, armed robbery, murder, drug-related crimes and other crimes.

The exercise was supported by one airforce helicopter, one naval ship, two naval boats and one marine police boat.

Briefing the media about the exercise, ACP Edmund Ohene Bosompem indicated that the security agencies have the mandate to ensure that people within the region are well protected to be able to attend to their legitimate business.

He said during the swoop, some dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp were retrieved, as well as narcotics-laced toffees, pills suspected to be tramadol, narcotics-laced alcoholic beverages, and eight television sets.

Other things retrieved include five laptops, two decoders, gaming equipment, condoms, and a cash sum of GHS23, 997.50.

The suspects will be screened and those found culpable will be dealt with in accordance with the laws of Ghana.

ACP Edmund Ohene Bosompem appealed to the general public to volunteer credible information to the police to help fight crime.

A similar exercise was undertaken by a joint police-military team early Thursday at Kasoa-Buduburam in the Central Region in which 141 suspects were arrested.

The suspects include 15 women. They are believed to have engaged in cyber-related crimes and robberies.

They include foreign nationals, who are said to have rented several apartments in the area, from where they plan and launch their nefarious activities.

The operation, which was carried out around 12 midnight consisted of over 600 police and military personnel and followed several weeks of intelligence gathering on crime trends and criminal activities in and around Kasoa.

Two police officers – Sergeant Michael Dzamesi and Lance Corporal Mohammed Awal – were recently shot and killed by a gang after they refused to heed to a signal to pull over.

This week, a sub-chief at Gomoa Akranmang, Nana Yaw Egyir, was murdered by a mob allegedly following disagreements over a land.

Some residents who spoke to Class News expressed delight at the operation as they said the community was fast-becoming a den of criminals.

Speaking to the News Editor of Accra100.5FM and CTV, Loveridge animonyam ampratwum okyere, ASP Simon Tenkuu of the Public Affairs Directorate of the Ghana Police Headquarters, said: “This dawn’s exercise was part of the general effort to make sure there is total security in the country”.

“It was a joint operation, special exercise led by the National Police Operations with the support of key police intelligent units; the CID was part, and most importantly, the support of the Ghana Armed Forces. In all, 141 suspects were rounded up.

“We are trying to take the war against crime to the doorsteps of the criminals and some of the preventive methods being considered to include cordon and search; stop and search; intelligence-led operations among others. And those we rounded up have been brought to the national police headquarters for profiling and screening. And at the end of the day those who are found with some legal questions to answer will be taken through the due process”, he said.

ASP Tenkuu urged the public to assist the police with information in dealing with criminals.

“We also want to entreat the general public to assist the service with vital information. In such circumstances, the police or the security services cannot do it alone. We need vital information to be much successful and we are entreating the general public to assist us always with information”.