Two local gun manufacturers, 3 illegal arms dealers arrested in Kumasi

Two persons alleged to be behind the manufacturing and sale of single-barrel guns on the local market have been arrested by the Police in Kumasi.

49-year-old Isaac Opoku Mensah and 39-year-old Samuel Kumah, both blacksmiths were in possession of 13 locally-manufactured guns when they were arrested by the Ashanti Regional Anti Robber Unit of the Police.

Investigations have since commenced into the matter by the Regional Police Command.

3 illegal arms dealers Meanwhile, a private saloon car with the registration AS 1108-17 carrying weapons has been arrested on the Kumasi-Obuasi higway “A search conducted in the vehicle revealed a white fertilizer sack containing an AK 47 Assault Rifle and 56 rounds of live ammunitions plus two empty Magazines,” Regional Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Juliana Obeng said.

Three suspects were arrested and are assisting in investigations.

They are 37-year old Ibrahim Owusu Sekyere who was the driver, and Abubakari Mahama, 40 years and 51-year-old Ivorian, Amadu Yakubu, said to be the source of the weapon and ammunition.

Amadu Yakubu, who had travelled from Nyamoransa in the Central Region to collect proceeds from the sale of the illegal arms was arrested in Kumasi.

He told the Police the goods were acquired during the civil unrest in Ivory Coast. He transported them from Abidjan to sell in Ghana.

“Suspect Abubakari Mahama after his arrest also offered a bribe of Gh3,500 to the police in order to be let off the hook but the police declined,” said ASP Obeng.

The suspects would be put before court for prosecution after investigations are over, said the police.