The Tamale police on Saturday arrested 39 suspected drug dealers at various locations in the Tamale Metropolis. Many polythene bags containing large quantities of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp were impounded. Money and other items were found with some of the suspected criminals. The Deputy Northern Regional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Lord Obeng-Mensah, briefing the press said, the arrests were necessitated by the numerous complaints from the residence about the increasing criminal activities in the area. He stated that residents and commuters in and around the metropolis were being terrorised by criminals on a daily basis. According to him, a lot of people, especially women have had their bags and other properties snatched or stolen by these hardened criminals. Mr Obeng-Mensah said that, these nefarious activities of the criminals have brought untold hardships to some traders in the metropolis• He said to arrest this unfortunate situation that was constantly putting fear in the people of the area, the Regional Police Command, decided to mobilise more personnel from various districts to help address the rising crime in the metropolis The Deputy Commander explained that those arrested would be screened and those found culpable would be processed for court. He warned that the police will continue with such exercises till they get rid of all criminals in the business centre of the metropolis. Mr Obeng-Mensah, therefore, assured the general public not to entertain any fears as the police would do everything in their power to ensure total sanity in the area. He, however, called on the residents to help the policy by reporting to the police, people with questionable character in their localities. Mr Obeng said in this modern world it is imperative for the public to coorperate effectively with the police to combat crime. Source: The Ghanaian Times