MADINA POLICE SWOOP ON CRIMINALS (Page 39)

11/07/08
Story: Mary Mensah
THE Madina Police yesterday arrested 47 suspected criminals at their hideouts in a dawn swoop to flush out criminals within its jurisdiction.
The three-hour exercise was carried out at the Atomic Junction, Haatso, Agbogba, IPS, Madina, Agyiriganno and Nmai Dzor areas.
Items retrieved from the suspected criminals, who were made up of 27 Ghanaians, 19 Nigerians and a Liberian, included whitish substances suspected to be cocaine and dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, computers, laptops, mobile phones, machetes, knives, screw drivers and other implements used in committing crimes.
According to the Madina Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Paul Ayittey, the exercise followed directives from the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to regional, district and unit commanders to ensure that crimes were brought down to the barest minimum.
He said already similar exercises had been carried out at Adabraka, Alajo, Avenor, the Neoplan Station, Circle, Kaneshie and La Wireless, all in Accra, to arrest narcotic dealers and peddlers, suspected armed robbers and violent criminals.
He said those arrested would be screened, after which an identification parade would be organised to enable their victims to identify them.
The Commander said appropriate charges would be preferred against those found culpable.
He said the exercise would be sustained to ensure that law-abiding citizens went about their duties without fear.
Chief Supt Ayittey said investigations were far advanced into the Ecobank robbery case and soon findings would be made public.