Two men yesterday appeared in the Springlands Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Khrisndat Persaud on the charge of possession of a firearm without licence.
Attorney at law Rodwell Jagmohan entered an appearance for both of the defendants: Tameshawar Khemraj, 25, called ‘Rambo’ of Lot 178 Nigg Settlement Corentyne, Berbice and Ruel Paragass 24, of Lot 77 Johns Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice.
An application for bail was made by the parties’ attorney but was objected to by police corporal Althea Solomon who is prosecuting on behalf of the state.
Her objection to bail sparked heated argument with the defence counsel.
Prosecutor Solomon told the court that bail should not be granted because of the nature and frequency of the offence.
Matters of a similar nature are being investigated where the defendants are the suspects; Kemraj has a matter in the Albion Magistrate’s Court for robbery under arms while Paragass was committed to stand trial at the High Court in New Amsterdam.
Solomon also said, according to statutes, the offence is not one which permit such defendants to have bail, unless there are special reasons.
On the contrary, Jagmohan said that his clients were not found with the firearm in their possession and that his clients will attend trial since they have a permanent address. He also said that there is no flight risk.
However, after a five-minute break, Magistrate Persaud ruled in favour of the state. The pair is expected to reappear in court on the 29th of November 2012.
According to reports, Khemraj was allegedly seen with the firearm in his possession but dropped it and ran away; he was subsequently on Tuesday arrested at this home by police officers.
At about 0800h Monday, police say that a police rank stopped and searched a motor car at Line Path, Skeldon, Corentyne, Berbice, with three passengers and found in a haversack on one of the passengers, a sub-machine gun (SMG) and two (2) empty magazines.
The three passengers escaped while the taxi driver was arrested. Paragass was the driver of HB 7123.
