Also known as: Northern Regional Special Operations Team · Regional Special Operations Team
News reports
Order a long-term news report on Red Maria
Every mention in the Ghanaian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
The Ghanaian Times
… A statement signed by the Northern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Wisdom Lavoe, said the Command’s Special Operations Team, known as Red Maria, carried out the operation on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at about 6:30 p.m., following intelligence. …
Police arrest four, seize 142 parcels of suspected Indian hempJoy Online
… The operation was carried out on Thursday, 15 October, at about 6:30 p.m. by the Northern Regional Special Operations Team, codenamed Red Maria, led by Chief Inspector Abu Isahaku and comprising 13 personnel. …
4 arrested, 142 parcels of suspected Indian hemp seized as officers reject GH¢50k bribeJoy Online
… The Northern Regional Special Operations Team, known locally as RED MARIA, carried out raids on Thursday 8 October at about 09:30 GMT in the Fuo and Kukuo areas of the city. …
12 arrested as police seize firearms, suspected drugs in TamaleJoy Online
… The operation was conducted on Monday, September 21, 2026, by the Regional Special Operations Team, popularly known as RED MARIA, following what police described as credible intelligence on suspected drug-related and other criminal activities in the area. …
Tamale: 5 arrested over suspected drug activities; police seize pistols, narcoticsDaily Guide
… The operation, led by the Northern Regional Special Operations Team known as Red Maria, forms part of the Command’s sustained efforts to combat drug trafficking and other criminal activities within the region. …
2 Arrested With 170 Parcels Of ‘Indian Hemp’The Chronicle
… According to the police, the operation was carried out on Monday, 27 July 2026, at around 5:30 p.m. by the Northern Regional Special Operations Team, known as Red Maria, as part of the Command’s ongoing anti-narcotics efforts in the region. …
Two Arrested, 170 Parcels of Suspected Indian Hemp Seized in Tamale Drug RaidJoy Online
… In a statement, the Regional Police Command said officers from the Regional Special Operations Team, known as Red Maria and led by Chief Inspector Abu Issahaku, conducted an anti-drug and patrol operation at Katariga on Monday, July 27, 2026, at about 5:30 p.m. …
170 parcels of suspected indian hemp seized in Tamale; 2 arrestedDaily Guide
… The convict was arrested on June 2, 2026, by the Northern Regional Special Operations Team, popularly known as “Red Maria,” at Savelugu in the Northern Region. …
Man Jailed 3 Years For Possessing TramadolJoy Online
… Nindow was arrested on 2 June 2026 in Savelugu by the Northern Region’s CTU Special Team, known as RED MARIA. …
Savelugu drug lord jailed three years for tramadol offences, faces further drug chargesDaily Guide
Suspect Abdul Manan with the exhibits The Northern Regional Special Operations Team, known as Red Maria, embarked on a routine anti-drug peddling operation within the Tamale Metropolis aimed at clamping down on the activities of persons engaged in the sale and distribution of ill …
Suspected Tramadol ‘Kingpin’ Arrested In TamaleNorthern Regional Police Command arrested four suspects and seized 142 parcels of suspected Indian hemp being transported from Bimbilla to Tamale. The suspects allegedly offered the arresting officers GH¢50,000 as a bribe, which was rejected.
20 October 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Northern Regional Police Command arrested four suspects and seized 142 parcels of suspected Indian hemp being transported from Bimbilla to Tamale. The suspects allegedly offered the arresting officers GH¢50,000 as a bribe, which was rejected.
20 October 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Northern Region police arrested four people and seized 142 compressed parcels of suspected Indian hemp from a mini bus on the Bimbilla-Tamale highway during an intelligence-led operation. The suspects offered officers a bribe of GH¢50,000, which the officers rejected.
16 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Police in the Northern Region arrested 12 people during raids in Tamale's Fuo and Kukuo areas on October 8, recovering two locally manufactured pistols, one pump-action gun, six sachets of Tramadol 250mg, and 25 wraps of suspected Indian hemp. All suspects and exhibits have been transferred to the Regional Criminal Investigations Department and Drug Law Enforcement Unit for further investigation.
8 October 2026 · Joy Online →
The Northern Regional Police Command arrested five people and seized two pistols, ammunition, suspected narcotics and other items during an operation at Tamale Aboabo Scrap Area on September 21, 2026. The suspects are alleged to have been involved in drug-related activities, with one identified as a dealer and another as the owner of the scrap business harbouring drug peddlers.
21 September 2026 · Joy Online →
The Northern Regional Police Command arrested two suspected drug dealers and recovered 170 parcels of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp during an intelligence-led operation at Katariga in the Tamale Metropolis. The suspects are in custody pending arraignment.
29 July 2026 · Daily Guide →
The Northern Regional Police Command arrested two men and recovered 170 parcels of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp following an intelligence-led operation in Tamale on 27 July. The recovered items have been handed to the Regional Drugs Law Enforcement Unit for forensic processing and laboratory analysis.
28 July 2026 · The Chronicle →
Northern Region police arrested two suspected drug dealers and seized 170 parcels of suspected Indian hemp during an intelligence-led operation in Katariga on 27 July 2026. Both suspects remain in custody as investigations continue.
28 July 2026 · Joy Online →
The Tamale Circuit Court sentenced Napari Baba Nindow to three years' imprisonment with hard labour for possession of restricted drugs without lawful authority. He was arrested in June by the Northern Regional Special Operations Team in Savelugu with Indian hemp and Tramadol.
8 June 2026 · Daily Guide →
Napari Baba Nindow has been sentenced to three years imprisonment with hard labour by a Tamale Circuit Court after pleading guilty to restricted drug offences including possession and prohibited sale of restricted drugs without lawful authority. He was also fined 10,000 penalty units (GH¢120,000) and faces two further charges of possession of narcotic drugs, with proceedings adjourned to 29 June 2026.
5 June 2026 · Joy Online →
The Northern Regional Special Operations Team arrested Abdul Manan, 33, in Tamale following an anti-drug operation, recovering 32 boxes of 50mg Tramadol, one box of 250mg Tramadol, one sachet of 120mg Royal Tramadol, one sachet of 100mg Tramadol, nine boxes of 32mg Astradol-P, and 24 bottles of Koffex from his shop and residence. The suspect is in police custody while investigations continue into the source of the drugs and possible accomplices.
25 May 2026 · Daily Guide →
Police in the Northern Region arrested a 33-year-old man on Friday 23 May during an anti-drug operation in Tamale's Zujung suburb, recovering 32 boxes of 50mg Tramadol, one box of 250mg Tramadol, one sachet of 120mg Royal Tramadol, one sachet of 100mg Tramadol, nine boxes of 32mg Astradol-P and 24 bottles of Koffex from his chemical shop and home. The suspect is in custody and assisting investigations as police work to establish the source of the drugs.
24 May 2026 · Joy Online →
The Northern Regional Special Operations Team arrested 24 suspects and retrieved quantities of substances suspected to be Indian hemp and Tramadol during an anti-drug operation in Tamale Metropolis on May 20, 2026, as part of efforts to combat drug peddling in the region.
23 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Northern Region police arrested 24 individuals in Tamale during an anti-drug operation and recovered five motorbikes, 25 wraps of suspected Indian hemp, and 14 sachets of Tramadol. The suspects are in custody assisting with investigations.
22 May 2026 · Daily Guide →
The Mayor of Tamale Metropolitan Assembly has announced plans covering infrastructure, agriculture, education, and youth employment as part of efforts to improve transparency and strengthen public participation in governance. The initiative is designed to enhance accountability, deepen citizen engagement, and enable residents to track government projects.
10 May 2026 · Joy Online →