3 remanded over illicit trafficking in firearms
An Accra Circuit has remanded three persons over illicit trafficking in firearms and ammunition.
Michael AkwesiSakyi, Alex Dotse and Samuel Novor have denied conspiring to engage in the crime.
They will make their next appearance on March 9, 2022. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sylvester Asare told the Court presided over by Mrs Rosemond TorsuBaah that in January 2022, police received information that a group of persons were illegally dealing in firearms and ammunition.
He said on receipt of the information, the police mounted surveillance on the accused persons and others already in custody and on February 18, 2022, Nancy Ashong currently in custody was arrested at Fadama, a suburb of Accra.
The prosecution said a search conducted in her kitchen revealed sixteen (16) boxes of 7 2 x 39mm Ball (24,000 rounds of AK 47 ammunition) and during interrogation, she mentioned MahamaMakboo also in custody, as the one who kept the boxes of ammunition in her Kitchen.
A search conducted in Makboo’s room revealed one Smith & Wesson SD9 VE pistol with Serial No. FBU2848 of which the suspect said during interrogation that Corporal Arafat Kunde of Ghana Armed Force (64 Infantry Regiment) was the one who supplied him the boxes of AK 47 ammunition.
The prosecution said in addition, the suspect said Corporal Kunde supplied Makboo with two SMG assault rifles and when Corporal Kunde was arrested, he mentioned Sakyi, Dotse and others at large as his sources of supply.
The prosecution said during investigations into activities of Sakyi, he said that Corporal Kunde was his bodyguard but was mute on the source of supply of the weapons and ammunition, but preliminary investigations established that when Corporal Kunde was in custody, Sakyi arranged with one Novor to discharge the remaining five [5] boxes of AK 47 ammunition kept in Corporal Kunde’s rooms at Spintex.
DSP Asare said preliminary investigation revealed that the accused were engaged in the illicit trafficking of firearms and ammunition, and efforts were underway to apprehend the others at large.
Defense Counsel, Mr Richard AsareBaffour in praying for bail told the court that his clients were not the real culprits, they would not run away, will avail themselves for trial, had permanent places of abode and people of substance to stand as sureties.
The prosecution, in opposition, said, they would interfere with witnesses and evidence if granted bail in as much as the offense was bailable, the Court should also consider that all rights, liberties and freedom were subject to the public’s interest, especially when the weapons were retrieved from a kitchen.
-GNA
