The Northern Regional Police Command has arrested over 50 suspected criminals at the Tamale Waterworks Forest.

The swoop, which started at about 9 am this morning, involved several police teams assembled. In all, more than 100 camps housing these criminals were burnt.

Speaking to JoyNews, the Northern Regional Crime Officer, Superintendent Bernard Baba Ananga, said a notorious armed robber Asampana Ayine who was declared wanted in the Upper East Region, was arrested in the forest a few days ago.

He said further intelligence gathered indicated that most of the criminals who operated on the Region’s highway and the city were hiding in that forest hence the operation.

“We arrested one notorious criminal, Asampana Ayine, who we handed over to Bolgatanga where he was declared wanted.

“He committed a lot of robberies and ran into this forest, but after his arrest, we gathered that most of the criminals were living in the forest,” Superintendent Ananga said.

Superintendent Ananga added that most of the criminals assumed that the forest was a no-go area so they could move into the Metropolis, conduct their nefarious activities and retreat into the woods.

“This operation was necessitated by intelligence we gathered that some criminals took up this area, set up camps and turned the place into a sort of market. These criminals felt the authorities could not come in so they could hide here,” he said.

He said some motorbikes believed to be used for most of their operations were confiscated, adding that some narcotic substances were also found with the suspects.

The police said 29 motorbikes were confiscated, 15 mini polybags containing substances suspected to be weeds, machetes, crowbar scissors were also seized in operation.

Superintendent Ananga added that Regional Police Commander, COP Timothy Yoosa Bonga has directed that the swoop be sustained to ensure the city and its highways are free of crime.