A city businessman was remanded to prison yesterday after being charged with unlawful possession of a gun and ammunition belonging to an associate, who police say is wanted in connection with human trafficking.
It is alleged that on June 14, Tyrone Hamilton, 32, had a Taurus pistol, without being the holder of a firearm licence, at Lot 80 Fifth Street, Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara. It was also alleged that he also had 62 live rounds in his possession without being the holder of a firearm licence.
Hamilton, of Lot 12 Public Road, Kitty, pleaded not guilty to both charges, when they were read by Magistrate Sueanna Lovell at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court.
Hamilton was represented by attorney Peter Hugh, in association with Latchmi Rahamat. Hugh, during his bail application, told the court that Hamilton and his wife, who recently gave birth to twins, were staying at the home of his business associate, identified as Marcus Anderson, at Cummings Lodge.
Hugh added that the firearm and ammunition in question were licensed to Anderson and were left behind by him in a safe. He also declared that Hamilton had no knowledge of the items.
However, Police Inspector John Singh challenged Hugh’s claims that Hamilton had no knowledge of the items.
He said the property was recently handed over to Hamilton by Anderson and noted that Hamilton had control of the safe and some of his personal items, including ammunition for his own licensed firearm, were found in it by the police.
Additionally, Singh questioned the choice of Anderson not to lodge his firearm before leaving the country.
Singh reasoned that the items were not lodged because Anderson knew that he was wanted by the police in connection with human trafficking investigations. The court also heard that Hamilton was slapped with the charges, following advice.
Hugh told Magistrate Lovell that his client had no criminal record and cooperated with the police.
He further mentioned that his client was not a flight risk and was willing to lodge his passport with the courts, pending the outcome of the matter.
But the magistrate said that she was not convinced to grant Hamilton bail and remanded him to prison until the matter is called again on December 29.
