3 arrested as police find drugs hidden in spare tyre

Three individuals have been arrested for possessing restricted pharmaceutical drugs and an unlicensed firearm during a police night patrol near Diare, a suburb of Savelugu in the Northern Region.

The arrests occurred on Sunday, August 3, 2025, as part of routine police checks along the Tamale–Bolgatanga highway.

According to a police statement released on Monday, the first suspect, Jabuni S. Mohammed, was driving a Nissan Hardbody pick-up with registration number GN 2812–20.

He refused to stop at a checkpoint in Diare and attempted to escape on foot after abandoning the vehicle in nearby bushes. Police officers pursued and arrested him shortly afterwards.

A search of the abandoned vehicle uncovered 1,399 blister foils of Tafrodol 120mg, a restricted pharmaceutical drug hidden inside a deflated spare tyre.

A loaded pistol, concealed within the vehicle’s headrest, was also retrieved.

Further investigations led to the arrest of two accomplices, Alidu Abdul Samed and Abdul Aziz, who were intercepted on an unregistered motorbike while reportedly en route to meet Jabuni.

All three suspects are currently in police custody and are expected to be arraigned soon.

The Northern Regional Police Command has reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying highway patrols and intelligence-led operations, particularly along key transit routes in the northern corridor, to curb illegal drug trafficking and the unauthorised possession of firearms.