The Eastern South Regional Police Command has arrested 10 people and confiscated nine firearms in a series of operations in Akwatia ahead of the upcoming by-election.
The seizures, which include eight pump-action guns and one locally manufactured single-barrel gun, were made during snap checks and targeted patrols aimed at clamping down on illegal possession and circulation of weapons before the polls.
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Confiscated weapons
On August 22, police intercepted a vehicle near St. Dominic Hospital driven by Bernard Kumi Ofosu. Officers recovered a Tulpar double-barrel pump-action gun along with four AAA live cartridges and two blanks. Although the suspect produced a licence, he was detained pending verification of the weapon.
At the Akwatia Y-Junction snap check, officers arrested Joshua Amenuku after 15 live cartridges were found on him. A subsequent search of his residence uncovered an ADLER Tulpar pump-action gun and five more cartridges.
That same day, police at the Boadua Livingstone checkpoint arrested two men — Enoch Asiedu and Chinese national Lu Youyan — after discovering four live cartridges in their pickup truck. The ammunition was allegedly linked to their employer, identified only as Mohammed, who is now wanted by police.
On August 23, officers at Boadua Livingstone Junction arrested Pieterson Joseph after finding an ADLER Tulpar pump-action gun and 46 cartridges in his vehicle. Later that evening, police intercepted a Toyota Tundra pickup at Staff Village, Boadua, where three more pump-action guns were seized. The driver, Stephen Nkansah, claimed ownership of two of the weapons and said the third belonged to his chief.
Police say the operations are part of intensified efforts to secure the Akwatia by-election. The command has assured that similar measures will be maintained to guarantee peace before, during, and after the polls.