A teenager, Ronan Kanda, tragically lost his life after being attacked by individuals wielding deadly weapons near his residence in Wolverhampton. The incident occurred in June 2022 when Ronan went to a friend’s house to purchase a PlayStation controller. However, he was mistaken for his friend by the assailants, one of whom had recently acquired knives online.
Recently, disturbing footage of Ronan’s murder was featured in an episode of 24 Hours in Police Custody. The episode revealed the seizure of numerous lethal knives and machetes from Adam and Eddy Eliaz, two brothers involved in importing and selling dangerous blades. These businessmen had legally sold blades, some of which were used in fatal incidents, including Ronan’s tragic death.
The Eliaz brothers profited significantly from selling these weapons, earning over £360,000 before zombie-style knives were banned in 2024. It was discovered that at least seven fatal attacks were linked to the weapons sold by their companies, which had fallen into the hands of minors.
Ronan’s sister, Nikita, expressed her anguish towards Adam Eliaz, holding him partially responsible for her brother’s death. She criticized the profit made off selling the weapon used in Ronan’s murder. The program also showcased a past statement by Adam Eliaz on Junior Apprentice, where he emphasized his love for making money.
Detective Inspector Ade George, who led the investigation into Ronan’s murder, highlighted the lack of understanding by the Eliaz brothers regarding the consequences of their actions. The documentary also shed light on another tragic incident involving 16-year-old Ashraf Habimana, who was fatally stabbed with a zombie knife in Luton in September 2024.
Ashraf’s mother, Fiona Namusoke, shared heart-wrenching details of the events leading to her son’s death, expressing her sorrow and longing to be by his side during his final moments. The severity of Ashraf’s injuries was described by Dr. Muhamma Asaria, who treated him at the hospital, emphasizing the devastating impact of the weapon used in the attack.
The perpetrators of these crimes, including Athif and Althaf Hussaindeen, and Prabjeet Veadhesa, received prison sentences for their roles in the tragic incidents. Adam Eliaz, associated with DNA Leisure, and Eddy Eliaz, linked to Sporting Wholesale, faced criticism for their involvement in selling dangerous knives. They defended their actions by stating adherence to UK laws at the time, including age verification procedures.
Despite their justifications, concerns were raised about their sale of zombie-style knives before the ban, with allegations of buyers using fraudulent means to acquire the weapons. DNA Leisure clarified that they did not market their products as weapons, denouncing such practices as illegal and unethical.
The Channel 4 documentary, “24 Hours in Police Custody Investigates: Zombie Knives,” delves into the disturbing reality of knife-related crimes and their devastating impact on victims and their families.
