Two Essequibians were yesterday remanded when they were brought before Magi-strate Hazel Octive–Hamilton on charges of possession of firearm and ammunition.
The two men pleaded not guilty to the separate charges brought against them.
Looknarine Persaud, called Scott, 57, of Lanaballi, Essequibo River was charged with having in his possession on April 22, one Mossberg pump action shotgun, one .38 Colt revolver, one .38 Taurus revolver and one .38 Smith and Wesson revolver. He was also charged with unlawful possession of 49 .38 special rounds of ammunition and 32 12-gauge cartridges while not being the holder of a valid firearm licence.
Meanwhile Harricharan Sukhoo, 40, of Stampa Bay, Essequibo River was charged with the possession of 13 .38 rounds of ammunition and five .32 rounds of ammunition. He is also not the holder of a valid firearm licence.
The men were represented by Attorney-at-law Kamini Parag who told the court that Persaud is a rural constable and had a firearm licence that expired in 2005. He had applied for another but had received no reply from the relevant authority as yet. She said Persaud has been the victim of several robberies where he and his family suffered severe personal injuries so the firearms were therefore for personal protection. The magistrate said that from 2005 to 2008 was a very long time to have put the necessary measures in place.
Police Prosecutor Desiree Fowler objected to bail on the grounds of the seriousness and prevalence of the crime. She said the man did not have the right to buy guns without having a licence even if he needed them for so-called protection. Fowler also said that the quantity of ammunition the men were found with was a serious matter.
The men were remanded until May 5 when they have to appear at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.
