An Immigration Officer, Richard Atiso, 36, has been arrested in connection with the sale of sophisticated weapons to suspected criminals operating in the Ashanti Region and beyond it.
Atiso, stationed at the Obuasi Immigration Officer, was arrested with his contact man, Kwasi Deyira, 30, a shoemaker at Bogobiri in Obuasi.
At a briefing, the Deputy Ashanti Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ampofo Duku, said police intelligence gathere established that Assistant Immigration Control Officer (AICO 1) and his accomplice are ammunitions and weapon dealers in the Ashanti Region.
ACP Duku said on Monday, at about 2:05 pm., the police in Obuasi received intelligence that a shoemaker was selling a pistol, so a plain-clothed policeman was detailed to feign interest to buy it.
According to Mr. Duku, the policeman later met the seller, Deyira, who promised to contact his brother who was in possession of the weapon.
A few minutes later, Atiso returned and told the policeman that he would sell the weapon for GH2, 500 and they both settled on it.
Atiso asked the policeman to meet him at Club 10, at bogobiri where he (Atiso) produced an Italian made pistol (Broni 92), with 24 pieces of 9mm live ammunition and offered it for GH4, 000 instead of the GH2, 500 agreed upon earlier.
The Deputy Commander said the policeman agreed to buy it and after the weapon was handed over to him, he arrested him for dealing illegally in arms and ammunition. Mr. Duku said a search on Atiso�s Toyota Corolla Salon car with registration number AS 554-09 43vealed six pieces of 8mm ammunition.
He hinted the suspects would be put before court after investigations.
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