A galamsey operator (illegal miner),Justice Seidu, 18, has been sentenced to five-years imprisonment in hard labour by a Tarkwa circuit court for possessing a locally manufactured pistol without authority.

He pleaded guilty.

Police Detective Chief Inspector Oscar Amponsah, told the court presided over by Mr Samuel Obeng Diawuo that, the complainant Francis Owusu is a receptionist at Samback guest house at Brenakyim, a suburb of Tarkwa, and the offender is a native of Bawku in the upper east region.

According to the Prosecutor, on October 9, 2011 at about 1730 hours, while the complainant was cleaning rooms in the guest house, he entered room 14 then occupied by the convict and found a locally manufactured pistol under his pillow.

Inspector Amponsah said the complainant immediately informed the police and he was arrested.

He said during interrogation, Seidu disclosed to the police that, the pistol was given to him by his friend Amidu at Enchi in the Western region.

The Prosecutor said in February, the convict led the police to Dosuano cottage at Enchi where he allegedly claimed he had the gun but on arrival, Seidu could not trace the where-about of his friend.

Inspector Amponsah said after investigation he was charged with the offense.**