Fifteen girls have been arrested by the New Juaben South Municipal Police Command for trafficking and other commercial sex-related offences.

The girls, aged between 15 and 35 years, were apprehended following a complaint from a commercial sex worker who reported being abused by her trafficker and boyfriend for failing to meet her daily sales quota.

During the operation, police also detained several landlords who had reportedly turned their apartments into brothels, charging GH¢25 per day for their use.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, February 10, at the Central Police Station in Koforidua, Municipal Commander Superintendent Ransford Nsiah gave an update on recent law enforcement activities targeting prostitution and human trafficking, warning landlords involved in such practices to stop or face immediate consequences.

“Last Sunday, we received a complaint from another Nigerian lady that she had been assaulted by her mistress, whom we normally call a ‘queen mother.’ The assault happened because she could not meet the daily target of GH¢400 set by the queen mother.

“We also arrested another man who had constructed a house and turned it into a brothel where the women are staying.

“He collects GH¢25 per day from them. So far, about 15 persons, the youngest aged between 15 years and 32 years, are in police custody and will be put before the court immediately,” he said.

The Municipal Crime Officer, ASP Asante Kusi Augustine, expressed concern about the involvement of 15-year-olds in commercial sex work and urged the public to provide information that could help police apprehend sex traffickers.

Fifty-seven (57) Nigerian nationals were rescued from a human trafficking and cybercrime syndicate operating at Adom Estates, Community 25.

This occurred in the aftermath of a strategic operation that took place on Wednesday, October 22, led by the CID’s Operations Unit following intelligence gathered on the group’s activities.

The operation led to the arrest of five suspects alleged to be the master minds behind the syndicate. They include Joel Nosa, Collins Rotimi, Shadrack Lulu, Austin Amahuaro, and John Uloko.

According to the Police’s preliminary investigations, which were announced through a statement, these suspects lure their victims with promises of jobs and education, and when they finally arrive, they are forced into fraudulent online activities such as romance scams and other illegal activities.

According to a press statement issued by Chief Inspector Brigitte Babanawo, Public Relations Officer of the CID, “Upon arrival, the victims, aged between 18 and 26 years, were coerced into engaging in online romance scams and other heinous activities,” the statement said.

During the operation, police retrieved 77 laptops, 38 mobile phones, two vehicles, three television sets, and other internet-enabled devices suspected to have been used in the crimes. The 57 rescued victims are currently receiving care and support, while the suspects remain in police custody, assisting with further investigations.

The seized items have been retained for forensic analysis.

The Police Service has urged the public, especially young people, to be cautious about offers of employment, education, or travel made through social media and other unverified sources.

“The Police reiterate their determination to combat human trafficking, cybercrime, and related offenses, and urge anyone with credible information on such activities to report to the nearest police station,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), in a joint operation on Friday, October 17, busted a human trafficking syndicate operated mainly by Ghanaians and Ivorians.

In a statement shared the same day, the crime intelligence agency announced that following the raid, it had successfully rescued 26 victims of human trafficking, comprising sixteen (16) Ghanaians and ten (10) Ivorians.

These nationals had fallen victim to job opportunity scams run by individuals posing as recruitment agents for QNET, a multinational company known for its wellness and lifestyle products.

The operation, dubbed “Operation Quest,” was conducted by EOCO’s Anti-Human Trafficking Unit in collaboration with QNET, around 10:30 a.m.

“The operation, code-named Operation Quest, followed intelligence that some foreigners and Ghanaians had been trafficked under the guise of employment with the QNET Company — a reputable organisation that trades in wellness and lifestyle products.

The suspects include two (2) Ivorians and seven (7) Ghanaians, while the victims were made up of ten (10) Ivorians and sixteen (16) Ghanaians,” the statement noted.

The organisation clarified that these individuals had no legitimate ties to the company and were exploiting QNET’s reputation to carry out their illicit activities.

“All nine (9) suspects are currently in the custody of EOCO to assist in investigations,” parts of the statement added.

A night-time operation by the Drug Enforcement Unit of the Northern Police Command in 2024, also resulted in the arrest of 85 individuals involved in drug trafficking and prostitution in Tamale’s central business district.

The suspects were caught using the taxi rank as a base for selling and distributing illegal drugs, targeting local youth.

Their activities also included gambling and dealing in stolen phones.

Police detained several teenagers engaged in prostitution and sexual activities under the Tamale overpass.

Those arrested face charges related to drug offenses and possession, and were found with stolen phones and gambling tools.

The lucrative nature of the illicit activities has led some unemployed young people to turn to sex work for financial support. Some suspects were apprehended for engaging in public sex on motorcycles and unregistered cars.

During the raid, over 50 suspicious young men and 25 prostitutes were screened, and several Nigerian nationals were also arrested.

The authorities seized vehicles, motorbikes, and mobile phones from the suspects. The police are continuing their investigation and working to ensure accountability for those involved in these illegal activities.