The Eastern Regional Police Command has arrested 11 individuals for allegedly posing as National Security operatives and extorting money from cannabis farmers in Aboa, a farming community in the Yilo Krobo Municipality.
According to police sources, the suspects dressed in National Security uniforms and moved from one community to another, demanding money from residents, particularly farmers engaged in cannabis cultivation.
The suspects are said to have operated in communities including Osoya, Aboa, Osuboi No. 1, Opesika and surrounding areas, where they allegedly used motorbikes to patrol the communities.
They reportedly assured cannabis farmers that they would protect them from police operations and raids in exchange for money.
The group had reportedly been under surveillance by the Eastern Regional Police Command’s Operations Unit for several months before their arrest.
Police sources told Citi News that the suspects were apprehended following a tip-off that they had resumed extorting money from farmers in the area.
Personnel from the Regional Operations Unit subsequently mounted a dawn operation and arrested the suspects after they allegedly collected GH¢3,000 from farmers at Aboa.
During the operation, police confiscated a silver Toyota Voxy with registration number GE 8755-26, a pump-action gun and a pistol believed to have been 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.