Crime & Punishment of Wednesday, 16 September 2009

Source: GNA

Police mounts a man-hunt for fake currency kingpin

Kumasi, September 16, GNA - The Tepa Police Divisional Crime Unit has mounted a man-hunt for a Kumasi-based fake currency kingpin. Kwasi Bediako is believed to be hiding in Pankrono-Atimatim, a suburb of Kumasi.

His accomplice, Kofi Anim, alias "Taller", has been nabbed and had a large quantity of fake GH¢5 notes seized from him by the police. The notes bear the same serial number "LL337726." Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Emmanuel Adu Boahen, the Divisional Crime Officer, told the Ghana News Agency that Anim was put before the Tepa Magistrate Court and slapped with a 24-month jail sentence.

His arrest followed a tip off.

He said the police received information that Anim and Bediako had arrived at Sobompan, a farming community in Tepa with the fake currency and were using the notes to buy all manner of goods from unsuspecting farmers.

They quickly moved in and succeeded in apprehending Anim. Bediako, who the convict mentioned as the brain-behind the printing of the illegal money, however, escaped and is on the ran. A search conducted on Anim uncovered the fake notes. Meanwhile, the police have appealed to the general public to provide information for the arrest of Bediako.

They should also be more alert in their business transactions.