A 45-year-old logger accused of being the owner of a quantity of ammunition discovered aboard a minibus, was yesterday granted $60,000 bail by a city court, after being charged with unlawful possession.
It was alleged that Sunil Roopnarine, on November 10, at Public Road, Linden/ Soesdyke Highway, had in his possession 10 12-gauge cartridges without being the holder of a firearm licence at the time.
Roopnarine pleaded not guilty to the charge.
His attorney, in an application for bail, told the court that the ammunition in question was not found on his client but was found in a bag in a minibus that was occupied by other persons.
Facts in relation to the matter stated that the police had a roadblock set up on the highway and the defendant was a passenger of a minibus that was stopped by the police.
It was reported that all of the passengers were asked to exit the minibus with their belongings, following which, a search was conducted on Roopnarine and the other passengers and nothing was found.
However, after a search was conducted on the vehicle, the ammunition was found in a bag under one of the seats in the bus. While none of the passengers admitted to being the owner of the bag, the conductor of the bus, who was taking mental notes of which passenger entered the bus with what, told the police that the bag belonged to the defendant.
Police prosecutor Arvin Moore objected to bail being granted based on the seriousness of the offence and the penalty attached if Roopnarine is to be found guilty.
Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman, then adjourned the matter until November 21, when it will be called at the Linden Magistrate’s Court. She also ordered that Roopnarine be placed on $60,000 bail on the charge.
