The Eastern Regional Police Command has arrested 11 individuals accused of posing as National Security operatives to extort money from cannabis farmers in Aboa, a farming community in the Yilo Krobo Municipality.
According to police sources, the suspects allegedly wore National Security uniforms and travelled from one community to another, demanding money from residents, particularly farmers involved in cannabis cultivation.
The group is said to have operated in communities such as Osoya, Aboa, Osuboi No. 1, Opesika and nearby areas.
Investigations indicate that the suspects used motorbikes to patrol these communities and allegedly promised cannabis farmers protection from police operations and raids in exchange for money.
Police say the group had been under surveillance by the Eastern Regional Police Command’s Operations Unit for several months. They were eventually arrested after intelligence suggested they had resumed their extortion activities.
Officers from the Regional Operations Unit reportedly mounted an early morning ambush and arrested the suspects shortly after they allegedly collected GH¢3,000 from farmers at Aboa.
During the operation, police retrieved a silver-coloured Toyota Voxy with registration number GE 8755-26, as well as a pump-action gun and a pistol allegedly used by the suspects.
The 11 suspects have since been transported to the Eastern Regional Police Command in Koforidua, where they are assisting with investigations.
