Ten suspects are in the grips of the Asante Mampong Divisional Police Command for their alleged involvement in cable thefts within the municipality. According to Divisional Commander, ACP Edward Oduro-Kwarteng, the Police have been receiving increasing reports of underground cable thefts 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. ACP Oduro-Kwarteng said the divisional police command constituted a special taskforce with specific instructions 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 Oduro-Kwarteng, “a large quantity of high tension cable (some cut into pieces and others in bundles) as well as a locally manufactured pistol, a 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. He 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 of the miscreants receive a reward package of between GH₵2,000.00 and GH₵20,000.00. Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh