Police officer among 3 arrested in sting operation on illegal gun trade

News

 

A police officer was Tuesday arrested as he tried to sell a gun to a dealer in Naivasha Town.

The officer seconded to the National Environment and Management Authority (Nema) had arrived at a club in Naivasha alongside two other people ready to sell his Ceska pistol with 40 bullets.

Apart from the 15 bullets that were in the pistol, 25 others were in a box, an indication the owner wanted to sell them.

It is not clear how much he was to sell the said weapon.

A Ceska pistol found on his is government-issued gun.

Constable Patrick Kimani who is attached to police headquarters but seconded to Nema was arrested after they drove to the club ready for the business.

He had apparently asked an informer in the town to look for a buyer of a gun he had.

It was then that police were alerted and posed as buyers and a site for the business was set up.

Police said they managed to recover a government-issued pistol from the three and a car they were using.

PROBE LAUNCHED

They were placed in custody as an interrogation on them goes on.

Police say they want to know if there are more players in the issue.

Rift Valley police boss Fredrick Ochieng said they are investigating to know if there are more players.

He said the suspects would be taken to court as investigations go on.

“We don’t condone such issues and that is why they are headed to court,” he said.

The issue further taints the image of the service. The National Police Service is struggling to shed off a bad image of being involved in most crimes.

Some rogue police officers have in the past been involved in the illegal gun business hence endangering many.

Such weapons are used in crimes that can also affect the sellers.

Some of the cases are still pending in courts while others are yet to be arrested.

Police authorities usually argue the cases are isolated and they have mechanisms of dealing with them.    BY THE STAR  

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