A West Coast Berbice man, his son and a workman were yesterday arrested with an unlicensed firearm and stolen meat in Berbice.
According to information gathered, Fazal Habibulla, a cattle farmer informed the police that he had received information that the men had shot one of his buffaloes at his ranch in the Abary backdam and were bringing out the meat to sell.
The police acted on the information and found the men with the firearm and meat yesterday morning.
According to a police source, the men were discovered with two firearms. The source said one shotgun is licensed while the other is not. The source further related that checks are being made to ascertain whether the licence for one of the shotguns is up to date.
According to cattle farmers in the area, cattle theft is an ongoing issue. They said that usually a group of men would venture into Abary and shoot their animals. The men would then return with the meat and sell.
Given the problem, the farmers decided to trace the men. Stabroek News was told that the men in custody were noticed venturing into the area on Saturday and they reportedly attempted to shoot one of Habibulla’s cows. According to information gathered, the men returned on Sunday morning to continue the job.
Stabroek News was told that the men shot the cow then proceeded to remove the meat. According to a farmer, the men only brought some of the meat out and left a portion at the ranch.
Sources say that the men have since offered to repay Habibulla for his animal. An investigation is ongoing.
