A Providence miner said to have been in possession of an unlicensed firearm and several live rounds of ammunition was yesterday remanded to prison after being charged with the offence.
Dinesh Dharamdeo, 25, of 1350 Providence Scheme, EBD, was yesterday read two charges, the first stated that on December 16, at Black Water Backdam, Cuyuni River, he had in his possession a 9 mm pistol, not being the holder of a firearm licence at the time.
The second charge stated that on that same date at Black Water Backdam, Dharamdeo was also in possession of seven live rounds of 9 mm ammunition. The defendant pleaded not guilty to both charges. The prosecution reported that police were on patrol duty at Black Water when they observed the defendant heading toward them.
The man, seeming to act in a suspicious manner, prompted the ranks to conduct a search, where they found the firearm and ammunition.
When it was discovered that Dharamdeo was not the holder of a firearm licence, he was arrested and charged.
The prosecutor objected to bail being granted to the defendant on account of the prevalence and seriousness of the crime and the fact that no special reasons were offered by the defence. The accused’s attorney Peter Hugh, made his bail application based on the argument that his client will not be afforded a trial within reasonable time given that the Bartica Court is overburdened. Bail was declined by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, who adjourned the matter to January 7 and transferred it to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.
