Two Blacksmiths arrested for illegal manufacturing, sale of firearms in Ashanti Region

The Ashanti Regional Anti-Armed Robbery Unit has arrested two blacksmiths for illegally manufacturing locally-made single barrel guns and selling some at Asonomanso.

The suspects are Opoku Mensah Isaac, 49, and Samuel Kumah, 39 years.

The Ashanti Regional Police PRO ASP Juliana Obeng briefing the media on Monday October 30, 2017 said the team acting upon intelligence proceeded to the area (Asonomanso) and arrested the two to assist in further investigations.

According to ASP Juliana Obeg Eleven (11) locally-made manufactured single barrel guns have so far been retrieved from the suspects and being kept as exhibits for further investigations.

In another development, a team from the Ashanti Regional Highway Patrol Unit has intercepted a private Toyota Corolla Saloon car with registration number AS 1108-17, along the Kumasi-Obuasi highway, loaded with a gun and ammunition.

A search conducted in the vehicle revealed a white fertilizer sack containing an AK47 assault rifle and 56 rounds of live ammunition and two empty magazines.

The Regional Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Juliana Obeng, told the media on Tuesday, October 31, 2017 at a press conference that: “Two persons, the driver and one other occupant on board, Ibrahim Owusu Sekyere, 37, and Abubakari Mahama, 40 years respectively, were immediately arrested to assist in investigations.