Five alleged perpetrators of counterfeiting (fake notes), thefts and receiving stolen mopeds, operating mainly in Ouagadougou and in localities of Zoundwéogo, were arrested and presented to the press, Friday, by the research brigade of the police station of the city of Manga, which carried out the operation with the collaboration and support of the local security initiative “Kolgwéogo” of Kaïbo.
According to the police commissioner and central commissioner of the city of Manga, Abdoulaye Bagagnan, it was following a complaint from three traders from Kaïbo (Zoundwéogo province), victims of counterfeiting on Saturday, October 5, 2024, that the operation was launched, ultimately leading to the arrest of KZ, TM, TA, CA and NJ, aged 19 to 29 and operating mainly in Ouagadougou as well as in localities of Zoundwéogo, notably Manga and Kaïbo.
The first elements of the investigation, explained Abdoulaye Bagagnan, first led to the arrest of the suspect TM, a 14-year-old minor who was released after his confession,
which allowed the capture of KZ, TM and TA in possession of several counterfeit banknotes and five mopeds.
“The interrogations of the latter revealed the fraudulent origin of the devices in their possession and led to the arrest of NJ and CA for receiving stolen goods,” added the central police commissioner of Manga.
In total, said Abdoulaye Bagagnan, the investigation led to the seizure of counterfeit banknotes worth 3,607,500 CFA francs, 110,000 counterfeit euros, 13,700 counterfeit dollars, as well as five mopeds, two of which were reported stolen in Ouagadougou and one in Manga.
Concerning the modus operandi of the alleged bandits, the police commissioner explained that the counterfeit banknotes held by KZ were allegedly manufactured two years ago by a certain CL. KZ then distributed part of his batch of counterfeit banknotes to TM in Ouagadougou, then to TA upon his return to his village of Kaïbo.
As for the theft of mopeds, it was mainly committed by TM, who allegedly stole them from homes in Ouagad
ougou and in front of the Medical Center with Surgical Unit (CMA) in Manga before selling them to his receivers.
Invited to recover their mopeds found among the seized vehicles, Zyad Kouanda and Joël Dipama praised the efficiency of the police and the good collaboration with the local populations, which had made this result possible.
“I am convinced that if the population and the security forces collaborate effectively, we will be able to overcome serious crime,” said Joël Dipama.
The Chief Commissioner of Police, and also Provincial Director of the Zoundwéogo National Police, Parfait Kadeba, also praised the “fruitful” collaboration with the populations in the framework of this operation. He also thanked the local security initiatives “Kolgwéogo”, while inviting the entire population to strengthen collaboration with the FDS and, if necessary, to report suspicious cases to the toll-free numbers: 17, 16, 1010 and 199.
Source: Burkina Information Agency