The cache of weaponry seized in December 2015
THREE out of seven men, who smuggled into the country an assortment of illegal weapons from West African countries, particularly, Cote d’Ivoire to undertake robberies, have been slapped with 14.5-years jail term by a High Court in Kumasi
Umar Moro Satta, 74-year-old Burkinabe arm dealer, was jailed for 10 years, while his associates, Frank Badu, 25; and Suleman Alhassan, 26; were jailed four years and six months respectively by the court presided over by Justice Obiri Yeboah.
The three were found guilty by a seven-member jury for possessing arms and ammunitions without lawful authority.
They were arrested on December 11, 2015 at Kumasi suburbs of Akwatialine, Alabar, and Bosore alongside Ibrahim Hamidu, 40, Mohammed Zibilla, 27; and Mwinbom Alphonse by personnel of the Ashanti Regional Police Command from the Manhyia Division.
The officers uncovered and seized a large cache of firearms, including 11 AK47 assault rifles, 10 G3 assault rifles (anti-aircraft ammunition of NATO standards), large quantities of other ammunitions, rounds of bullets and other locally made guns during the single swoop.
Officers of the Manhyia Divisional Police Command retrieved the arms after an “intelligence led” operation in the house of convict Moro Satta.
The raid was part of moves by the Regional Police Command to clamp down on criminal activities ahead of the Christmas festivity, and to rid the streets of Kumasi of gangsterism and notorious actions.
It was the second time within the month that police had carried out operations to retrieve arms in the hands of civilians suspected to be criminals or having a link with criminals.
Moro Satta, the self-confessed illicit arm dealer told the that police he usually sells the guns and ammunitions to interested buyers, some of them were outside the country, and he sometimes rents the weapons out to criminals for robbery for a fee.
He reportedly indicated to police during interrogation that he and his business partners were using Ghana as a transit point.
From Ernest Kofi Adu, Kumasi