Tamale shop owner arrested with firearms, narcotics

The Northern Regional Unit of the Drugs Law Enforcement Unit (DLEU) under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service (GPS) has arrested a provisions shop operator at Banvim, a suburb of Tamale, for unlawful possession of narcotic drugs and firearms.

The suspect, Hamza Ziblim, aged 30, who has been detained by the police to assist with further investigations, was arrested based on intelligence gathered by the DLEU to the effect that he was dealing in narcotic drugs, including cannabis and tramadol.

Exhibits

The Northern Regional Crime Officer, Superintendent of Police, Mr Bernard Baba Ananga, who briefed the Daily Graphic on the arrest, said a search conducted by personnel of the DLEU during the arrest of the suspect in his shop revealed three empty AK 47 assault rifle magazines concealed in a yellow polythene bag; one silver and brown-coated pistol, make Blow F2 loaded with two live rounds of ammunition (7.65mm) concealed in a black polythene bag.

He said the police also retrieved a black waist bag containing a black pistol loaded with six live rounds of ammunition (7.65mm), three live BB cartridges and an ammunition packet with 60 live rounds (7.65mm) of ammunition.

“Also found in the shop were two tablets of Tramadol 120 miligrams (mg),17 tablets of Tramadol 50mg and a quantity of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis, all concealed in a white polythene bag.

“ Also retrieved was a one-metre long sword,” the regional crime officer added.

Supt Mr Ananga stated that the suspect claimed ownership of all the exhibits and stated that the silver-coated pistol was supplied to him by one Saddick, while the AK 47 magazines were obtained from one Mohammed in Tamale.

Arrest

Supt Mr Ananga said the suspect was arrested on November 24, 2020 around 8:30 p.m. when personnel of the DLEU of the Northern Regional Police Command proceeded to Banvim, a suburb of Tamale, after receiving an intelligence report.

He said the team met Ziblim at his shop, and provided a search warrant and subsequently found the exhibits. Having failed to provide any legal proof for possessing the items, he was arrested and charged with illegal possession of narcotic drugs and firearms.

The regional crime officer said the operation by the police was part of efforts to rid the metropolis and entire region of criminal elements.