The police in Ashanti region have arrested 13 suspected armed robbers and accomplices in the latest swoop on armed gangs terrorizing residents.

The suspects, including two females, specialize in robbing targets of money safe and television sets.

The female suspects use the Diazepam drug to daze their victims before calling on their male counterparts to complete the theft.

Several arms and ammunitions have also been retrieved in a separate incident.

According to TV3’s Ibrahim Abubaka, the police retrieved two AK 47 assault rifles and a total of 219 ammunitions, made up of five fully-loaded magazines of 30 rounds and sixty-nine spare ammunitions.

The Asokwa Divisional Police Commander, ASP Charles Domaban revealed that six out of the thirteen suspects have been confirmed to be behind the murder of a police officer at Denchemuoso last month.

Other items retrieved included two masks, a pair of gloves and a dagger.

According to the police, the weapons were concealed in the engine compartment of a Ford Transit bus with registration AS 1157–15.

The bus was abandoned at Boankra in the Ejisu-Juabeng municipality by two unidentified men on board, after they were chased by suspicious residents of Hwereso.

The Ejisu Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Laar Baman said the police have mounted a search to arrest the suspected robbers. He commended residents of Hwereso for their vigilance and collaboration with the police.

In a related development, the Asokwa Divisional Police Command has arrested thirteen suspected armed robbers and their accomplices for various crimes. The suspects, according to the police, have confessed to their crimes and will soon be processed before court.

The police retrieved a pump action gun, car batteries, television sets, and other tools from the suspects.

Deputy Ashanti regional police commander, ACP Ampofo Duku said the police will leave no stone unturned in its quest to fight crime in the region.

He called for public support and cooperation in the fight against crime.