42 Arrested for Prostitution and Drug-Related Activities in Ayamfuri, Central Region
The Central North Regional Police Command has arrested 42 individuals in a major crackdown on prostitution and drug-related activities in Ayamfuri, a community in the Central Region of Ghana.
The operation, which took place on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, was intelligence-led and targeted known hotspots within the area. The arrested suspects include 32 Nigerian women, suspected to be engaged in prostitution, and 10 Ghanaian young men, believed to be involved in drug peddling.
According to DCOP Abraham Acqaye, the Central North Regional Police Commander, some of the suspects were caught red-handed during the police swoop, while others were picked up based on prior surveillance and intelligence gathering.
The individuals, aged between 20 and 32 years, were found in possession of various items including:
• Dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp
• Concoctions believed to be mixed with Indian hemp
• Condoms
• Cigarettes
During preliminary interrogations, some of the women claimed to be victims of human trafficking, revealing that they were deceived with promises of decent employment opportunities in Ghana. However, upon arrival, they were allegedly forced into prostitution and made to work under exploitative conditions.
Some stated that they are being held in debt bondage, with their traffickers demanding huge sums of money before granting them their freedom. These revelations have raised serious concerns about the increasing trend of cross-border human trafficking and its links to organized crime within certain communities in Ghana.
Police say investigations are still ongoing to identify the traffickers behind the syndicate and determine the full extent of the operation. The suspects are expected to assist in the ongoing investigation and may face charges ranging from prostitution, drug possession, to human trafficking.
The Central North Regional Police Command has assured the public of its commitment to clamping down on criminal activities, especially those that threaten public safety and human rights. The authorities have also called on community members to volunteer credible information to help combat similar illegal activities in their neighborhoods.
This incident adds to growing concerns about the presence of organized crime networks in smaller communities, and the urgent need for collaboration between law enforcement, immigration authorities, and social services to tackle human trafficking and drug-related offenses in Ghana.