The Ghana Police Service has rescued 33 victims of human trafficking and arrested 28 suspects in a series of intelligence-led operations targeting cybercrime syndicates and illegal arms trafficking across the country.

The operations, conducted by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters and the Tema Regional Police Command, also led to the recovery of dozens of laptops, mobile phones, internet devices, firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition believed to have been used in criminal activities.

Addressing a press briefing, the Director-General of the CID, COP Lydia Donkor said the operations formed part of the Police Service's intensified efforts to dismantle organised criminal networks involved in cyber-enabled fraud, human trafficking and illicit trade in firearms.

The first operation took place at Mataheko-Afienya in Tema on July 3 where police arrested 10 suspects allegedly involved in cyber-enabled fraud.

Investigators said the suspected leader of the group facilitated the movement of nine Nigerian nationals into Ghana by road before forcing them into online fraudulent activities. 

The nine victims were rescued and relocated to a safe facility while the Police recovered 28 laptop computers and nine mobile phones from the suspects' hideout for forensic examination.

The alleged ringleader has since been remanded into police custody by the Accra High Court with investigations ongoing to identify other members of the syndicate.

Four days later, another intelligence-led operation at Fafa Community in Tema resulted in the arrest of 11 suspects linked to cybercrime.

Police recovered 14 laptop computers with accessories and 12 smartphones believed to have been used in fraudulent online activities.

Investigations revealed that six of those arrested had initially been trafficked from Nigeria to Ghana under false pretences and forced into cybercrime. 

They were rescued, provided with medical care and victim support, and later repatriated to Nigeria.

However, further investigations established that two of those initially considered victims were allegedly playing key roles in coordinating the criminal operation while another suspect is on the run.

The latest operation was carried out on July 12 at Kwabenya in Accra where the Cybercrime Unit, working together with the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit and the CID Headquarters Operations Unit, arrested five Nigerian nationals suspected of engaging in human trafficking and cybercrime.

Acting on intelligence, officers searched a three-bedroom apartment and forced open a locked room after becoming suspicious of explanations given by one of the suspects.

Inside, they found 22 young Nigerian nationals. 

Police said preliminary investigations showed that 18 of them, aged between 15 and 24, were victims of human trafficking who had been brought into Ghana and allegedly forced to participate in cybercrime activities.

According to investigators, the victims had been instructed to hide from Police officers whenever security personnel approached the residence.

The operation also led to the recovery of 52 assorted mobile phones and several wireless internet devices believed to have been used in cybercrime.

The 18 victims have since been placed under the care of the appropriate authorities while the five suspects have been remanded by the Accra Circuit Court to assist with ongoing investigations.

In a separate operation in the Ashanti Region, the Anti-Armed Robbery Unit of the CID arrested two suspects for allegedly engaging in the illegal sale and trafficking of firearms and ammunition.

The arrests followed months of surveillance after Police received intelligence that illegal weapons were being supplied to criminal elements across the country.

A search conducted during the operation led to the recovery of five pistols, several magazines, 120 rounds of live ammunition and other firearm-related exhibits.

Police said one of the suspects admitted operating an unlicensed firearms business for the past 10 years and disclosed that he had supplied weapons to several clients without the required documentation.

Both suspects remain in Police custody as investigations continue to identify other accomplices and trace the source of the weapons.

The Ghana Police Service reiterated its commitment to combating organised crime and warned that anyone involved in human trafficking, cybercrime or the illegal possession and sale of firearms would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The service also urged the public to continue providing credible and timely information to support ongoing efforts to keep communities safe.