Bono Police Disrupt Robbery Gangs in Intelligence‑Led Raid
Bono Regional Police command announced a breakthrough after arresting eight suspects linked to a spate of armed robberies and firearms trafficking across the region.
Speaking at a press conference in Sunyani, DCOP Joshua Coppson said the arrests were the result of coordinated intelligence‑led operations carried out in Berekum, Drobo, Nkaseim, Domfete, Ewiakrom and surrounding communities.
The apprehended suspects include Johnson Amponsah Kwame Diawuo, 47; Shadrach Owusu (alias Shark), 25; Kwafo Samuel, 30; Latif Mustapha (alias Star Boy), 28; Mosby Owusu, 20; Kofi Iddrisa, 45; Kwabena Agon Azubilla Akalotey, 18; and Baba Kumi Foster, 35.
Coppson highlighted that on 18 November 2025 a five‑member gang led by Johnson Amponsah attempted to rob travellers on the Berekum–Drobo Road. The attack was thwarted after a timely intervention by a police patrol team.
During interrogation, suspects Kwafo Samuel and Shadrach Owusu confessed their involvement and identified Johnson Amponsah as the mastermind. They also admitted participation in several other robberies, particularly around Nkaseim in the Ahafo Region.
A follow‑up operation led to the arrest of Johnson Amponsah at his hideout in Nyamennae, a suburb of Berekum. Police seized quantities of Indian hemp, two motorcycle helmets and two machetes as evidence.
In a separate intelligence‑led sweep, officers from the Regional Police Intelligence Directorate arrested Latif Mustapha (Star Boy) and Mosby Owusu at Domfete near Berekum. Coppson noted that Latif attempted to evade arrest by hiding in the ceiling of his home before being apprehended.
The commander further noted that checks linked Kwabena Agon Azubilla Akalotey, already on remand for a stealing case, to the original ownership of a pistol recovered in earlier investigations.
A search of Latif Mustapha’s room yielded a significant cache: a full military camouflage uniform, military jacket and boots, a toy Glock pistol, a taser, live and spent foam bullets, pepper spray, multiple knives and scissors, talismans and war regalia, two laptops, swimming goggles and toffees suspected of being laced with Indian hemp.
Investigators also uncovered a Parabellum Model R‑9 Hungarian pistol loaded with two 9 mm rounds in Mosby Owusu’s possession. He told police he purchased the weapon from Latif Mustapha for GH₵ 9 000, although the latter later retrieved it.
As part of efforts to disrupt a separate criminal chain that transports stolen motorcycles and tricycles to Côte d’Ivoire, police arrested Kofi Iddrisa and Baba Kumi Foster at Ewiakrom near Nkrankwanta. Three motorcycles and one tricycle were recovered as evidence.
On 2 December 2025, Johnson Amponsah, Shadrach Owusu and Kwafo Samuel were arraigned before the Fiapre Circuit Court on charges of conspiracy to commit robbery and attempted robbery, and were remanded into police custody pending a hearing on 22 December. The same day, Latif Mustapha (Star Boy) and Mosby Owusu faced the Sunyani District Court B on charges of illicit firearms trafficking, unlawful possession of firearms and possession of military uniforms without authority, with a next appearance set for 15 December.
Kofi Iddrisa and Baba Kumi Foster, investigated for dishonestly receiving stolen items, were granted police enquiry bail pending further inquiry.
The Bono Regional Police Command urged the public to provide credible information to aid ongoing operations, emphasizing that additional accomplices remain at large and more illicit weapons are likely to be recovered as the crackdown continues.
Image Source: MYJOYONLINE
