Police in the Central Region have arrested two groups suspected of being involved in a goat-stealing syndicate after intercepting vehicles carrying 27 stolen goats and a sheep during an operation along the Assin Besease barrier.

The arrests were carried out by the Ghana Police Service under the Central North Regional Police Command following intelligence and surveillance in the area.

According to police sources, the first group was travelling in a Pajero vehicle with registration number GR 9864-19. The vehicle had four suspects on board and was found carrying 15 goats and a sheep.

A second vehicle, a Toyota Highlander with registration number GR 1623-16, was intercepted shortly afterwards with two suspects and 11 goats.

In total, the police retrieved 27 goats and a sheep believed to have been stolen from various communities. Fourteen of the animals were found dead, while 13 were alive.

Information gathered from one of the suspects, who identified himself only as Taakum, suggests the group used a chemical-laced feed to weaken the animals before capturing them.

“The maize is mixed with a chemical which makes the goats weak after eating it, making it easier for them to be captured,” the suspect reportedly told investigators.

Police say the Pajero vehicle had allegedly begun its operation from several villages, passing through areas including Breman Asikuma, Kokoso, Amanfopong and Akyim Achiase before heading towards Assin Brofoyedru, where officers eventually intercepted it on the Assin Bankyease road.

During the attempted arrest, a gun battle reportedly broke out between officers and the suspects in the Pajero vehicle, leaving two suspects and a police officer with various injuries.

They are currently receiving treatment at St. Francis Xavier Hospital in Assin Fosu.

The second group travelling in the Highlander vehicle was also arrested after officers observed suspicious driving behaviour along the Assin Maso Ochiso road.

The suspects, the two vehicles and the recovered animals are currently in police custody as investigations continue.

Police say the arrests form part of ongoing efforts to clamp down on livestock theft in parts of the Central Region, which has been a growing concern for farmers and residents in affected communities.