20101102
africanews

Ten suspects are in the grips of the Ashanti Mampong Divisional Police Command in Ghana for their alleged involvement in cable theft within the municipality.

According to Divisional Commander, ACP Edward Odoro-Kwateng, the Police have been receiving increasing reports of underground cable for the past six months.

The Electricity Company of Ghana and other telecom operators are the hardest hit. Vodafone Ghana recently reported that the company’s underground fixed line cables, linking Mampong and Nsuta Ashanti, had been stolen.

Managers of Vodafone estimated the total cost of cables stolen at one million Ghana Cedis, including 10km of 200/0.5ff valued at Gh₵600,000.00 and 10km of 100/5ff valued at Gh₵400,000.00.

ACP Odoro-Kwarteng says the divisional police command instituted a special taskforce with specific instruction to apprehend the criminal gang. Following a tip-off, the taskforce arrested the ten suspects, who are between the ages of 15 and 46 years.

According to ACP Odoro-Kwarteng, “a large quantity of high tension cable (some cut in pieces and others in bundles) as well as locally manufactured pistol, live ammunition and an axe were found on suspect Maxwell Akwasi.”

He said the suspects are in custody and would soon be arraigned before court and assured that the Police will go all out to apprehend criminal elements in the municipality.

Informants who assist the Police with credible information, leading to the arrest miscreants receive a reward package of between Gh₵2,000.00 and Gh₵20,000.00.