Ten persons who allegedly presented themselves as though they were national security operatives have been arrested and arraigned before the court. Charges pressed against them are harassment and extortions at Asiwa in the Ashanti region. They are caged by the police to assist in the investigations.
The suspects are to reappear before the Juaso circuit court on March 7, 2023.
The 13-member syndicate who were posing as personnel of the Ministry of National Security was said to have been illegally operating within the Asiwa enclave, extorting monies from small-scale miners.
At around 12 pm on Friday, February 17, the main Kumasi-Konongo high street was blocked by a Police patrol team to halt speeding land cruisers occupied by the syndicate.
The suspects were bolting with their booty when the Konongo police patrol team with the assistance of National Security Operatives nabbed them.
A search conducted led to the seizure of three locally manufactured single-bar guns, one pump action rifle, three knives, two heavy-duty batteries, one pepper spray, a dummy taser, gold stones, and a cash amount of GH¢18,870.00 from them.
The suspects were initially in military custody at 4 Infantry Battalion and Headquarters Central Command guardrooms, but on Monday ten were handed over to the Konongo police command to continue the investigation and press charges.
At a court hearing today, Wednesday, February 22, the ten suspects were charged with unlawful possession of military accouterments and stealing.
Lawyer for the suspects, Maurice Ampaw’s bail application for his clients was turned down.
He told the press that; “the court says we should properly file a written application through the Attorney General.”