Statistics obtained by The Chronicle from the Western Regional Command of the Ghana Police Service (GPS) has revealed that narcotic and murder cases dominated the list of crimes committed by suspects in the region, in the second and third quarters of this year. The statistics indicate that the region recorded 20 and 17 narcotic cases in the second and third quarters respectively, whilst murder cases recorded in the region moved upward from 16 to 20. Commenting on the situation in the region, the Western Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Alhaji Hamidu Mahama, said the prevalent areas in the region, where high figures were recorded, were Sefwi-Wiawso, Asankargwa, Enchi, and Half Assini. He said there were also few ones recorded within the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis. The Commander said his outfit identified litigation over farmlands, chieftaincy-related disputes, and jealousy among spouses, as another source of conflict in the region. On the issue of narcotics, the Commander said six people have so far been convicted. They include Joseph Azure, Isaac Mensah, Joseph Ekow Dadzie, John Kelechuku, 15, and Patrick Kwesi Owusu. Apart from the latter who got two years, the rest were sentenced to 15 years imprisonment. The region, according to the Commander, also recorded a number of minor cases such as unlawful entry and stealing. Conviction has been secured for some of these cases, whilst others are still under investigation. Only one attempted rape case was recorded within the period under review, but defilement surged forward from 72 in the second quarter to 85. Based on the above statistics, the Police Commander said, "The general crime situation in the Western Region for third quarter has seen a decrease from 6,088 in the second quarter, to 5,484 in the third quarter. This shows a decrease of 604 cases, representing a 9.92% decrease." Source: Zambaga Rufai Saminu