Dominic Gilpin, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guardsman who was allegedly found with a quantity of cannabis and a firearm with matching ammunition on Monday, was yesterday remanded to prison after facing three charges.
Gilpin and Paul Murray, who was with him when the illegal items were found, both faced charges when they were arraigned before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty in Georgetown.
Gilpin, 30, and Murray, 30, both denied the joint charge that on September 30th, at the Avenue of the Republic, they had five kilogrammes of cannabis in their possession for the purpose of trafficking.
Gilpin also denied the two other charges which were brought against him. It was alleged that on September 30th, at Avenue of the Republic, he had a .32 Taurus pistol when he was not in possession of a firearm licence and on the same date and at the same location, he had two rounds of .32 ammunition when he was not in possession of a firearm licence.
According to Prosecutor Seon Blackman, on the day in question, about 2 pm, acting on information, police intercepted motor vehicle, PXX 94, which was driven by Gilpin. The police officers subsequently told Gilpin of the information they received and asked to search the vehicle. In response, Gilpin allegedly indicated that he was in possession of a firearm and that he carried it when he conducted financial business and pointed to a compartment in the centre of the vehicle. The matching rounds of ammunition were then found in the firearm after which a further search was conducted.
A quantity of leaves, seeds and stems, suspected to be cannabis, were later found in a bag, which was concealed in the trunk of the car. The two men were the only occupants of the car.
Gilpin and Murray were represented by attorneys Latchmie Rahamat and Patrice Henry, respectively.
In her application for bail, Rahamat noted that that her client has been a serving member of the GDF for the past 11 years and had no criminal record. She told the court that a number of persons had access to the car, which was driven and owned by Gilpin. At the time the search was conducted, she said, several persons were in the car and any of those persons could’ve taken the opportunity to place the narcotics, firearm and ammunition in the vehicle when Gilpin exited the car to go and purchase an item from a store on Lombard Street.
Further, Rahamat said, the prosecution has no possession of a signed or oral statement from her client, who had maintained his innocence since his arrest.
Henry, in his application for bail, told the court that his client, who hails from Lot 14 Martin Luther Housing Scheme, New Amsterdam and is a father of one, was one among several persons who were in the vehicle, which was also searched by several police officers. He said CCTV video footage can prove that before entering the car, Murray had no items on his persons.
The two lawyers both argued that their client had no prior knowledge or control of the narcotic.
Prosecutor Blackman objected to bail being granted to both defendants. In relation to the illegal possession of firearm and ammunition charges, Blackman also cited the seriousness of the offence and maintained that when asked by a rank, Gilpin failed to produce a licence for the firearm and ammunition. In addition, he said Gilpin gave an oral confession by indicating that he was in possession of the firearm.
Murray was eventually granted bail in the sum of $250,000 with the condition that he lodge his passport and report to the Central Police Station every Monday at 9 am. Gilpin, meanwhile, was remanded to prison. Both men will make their next court appearance on October 17th, 2019.
The GDF has said that Gilpin, a Lieutenant, has been interdicted from duty in wake of his arrest and that an investigation has since been launched. “As is procedure, the GDF will conduct its investigation which will in no way affect that being conducted by the Guyana Police Force,” GDF said in a statement on Tuesday.
