Sunyani, Dec. 23, GNA - The police in the Brong-Ahafo Region have started special patrols in the region to ensure peace and security during and after the Christmas.

Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani Chief Inspector Yaw Nketia-Yeboah, Regional Police Public Affairs Officer, said swoops had already been carried out in Sunyani, Techiman, Berekum, Atebubu, Yamfo, Wenchi and Goaso.

He said the exercise in Sunyani led to the arrest of some suspects i= n Zongo and Bethel areas. Kwabena Moaba, 30, unemployed and three others were arrested in the swoop at Bethel but one other escaped. The patrol team retrieved a box containing a quantity of papers used= in wrapping drugs from the premises of a suspect who is on the run. At Goaso, Chief Inspector Nketia Yeboah said two persons, Osei Tutu and Asare Baffoe, were arrested on December 19 for possessing dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.

Ayor Djallo and Kwable Hanson, both 50 and farmers, were arrested at=

Atebubu and Yaw Baba, 35, farmer, was arrested with three fertilizer mini=

bags full of the dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp. In Berekum, seven suspects were arrested for loitering at Mangoase, Kuraso, Biadan, Tewobabi and Senase.

He said police operations in the region had been largely successful due to the co-operation of the general public who volunteered information on criminals. He expressed appreciation to the general public for the support.