Magistrate Fabayo Azore on Wednesday remanded two men charged with having unlicensed firearms and matching ammunition when they appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
It is alleged on April 4 at Arau Landing, Essequibo, 41-year-old businessman Harrinarine Persaud, a father of four, had in his possession a semi-automatic pistol without being a licensed firearm holder. It is also alleged that he had three live rounds of .38 ammunition. He denied the charges when they were read to him in Court 5.
According to the facts of the case, police ranks conducted a search on the defendant’s business place and the pistol and matching rounds were found. All the persons who were in the shop at the time were arrested. However, Persaud was charged after he allegedly told a constable the items belonged to him.
The prosecution objected to bail, citing the seriousness and prevalence of the offences.
However, the accused’s attorney Adrian Thompson applied for bail on the grounds that the area where the pistol and ammunition was found was one of public access. Thompson told the court that the accused is an outstanding member of his community and he knows nothing of the allegation. He further noted his client has no idea who would have placed the illegal items in his shop but he believes that the perpetrator may have done so after seeing the police arrive.
Bail was denied and Persaud was ordered to appear in the Kamarang Magistrate’s Court on June 15.
Meanwhile, Aldreen Adonis was also remanded to prison after he denied having in his possession a 9mm pistol with five live rounds of ammunition without being a licensed firearm holder. The court heard that on April 6, police on duty in the Campbellville Housing Scheme spotted Addonis with the firearm. When he realised that the officers had seen him, he allegedly took off running with the weapon in his hand. Police gave chase and Addonis was subsequently arrested and booked at the Prashad Nagar Police Outpost. He was ordered to appear in court on Monday before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.
