Kia Picanto Yields Arms Near Aputuogya
On August 17, 2025, Ashanti Regional Police discovered a weapons cache in an abandoned Kia Picanto (NR 289-24) near Aputuogya on the Kumasi-Accra highway. The haul included an AK-47 rifle, two pump-action guns, two AK-47 magazines with 30 rounds each, four packs of 25 AK-47 rounds, Wellington ammunition, and one live cartridge.
Additional items, including sandals, a temporary driver’s license, and a Ghana Card, suggest the vehicle’s use in criminal operations. Impounded at Kontanase Police Station, the evidence links to ongoing probes into organized crime, following a deadly April 2025 clash with robbers in mining areas.
The finding aligns with a 2023 report noting 15% of Ghana’s armed robberies involve rented or stolen vehicles. The police suspect the Kia was part of a criminal network targeting Kumasi. Investigations continue to trace the weapons’ origins and connect them to recent high-profile robberies.
The seizure underscores the Ashanti Regional Command’s crackdown on armed crime, with over 200 arrests in 2025 linked to illegal firearms. The police urge public cooperation to dismantle networks, as the region grapples with rising gang activity in mining communities.
Authorities are analyzing the recovered items to identify suspects, with the case prioritized to curb the 12% rise in regional armed robberies reported in 2024. The operation reflects intensified efforts to ensure public safety amid growing criminal sophistication.