Fifty-two-year-old Neil Dutchin yesterday appeared before Magistrate Rhondel Weaver at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court where he was charged with illegal possession of a firearm.
It is alleged that on October 8, while on Church Street in Georgetown, he had in his possession a Taurus pistol without being the holder of a firearm licence.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge and was remanded to prison until November 15.
At around 00:30hrs on October 8, Police ranks were on mobile patrol on Church Street when they observed a black Toyota Tacoma #GAD 8333 parked in the centre of Church Street between East and Cummings Streets.
As the patrol ranks approached the vehicle, they observed three men inside the Tacoma, the police said. Their names were given as Jiomide Moreno, a 40-year-old labourer, who was seated in the back passenger seat; Brian Rochan, a 31-year-old vendor who was seated in the front passenger seat; and Dutchin, a US.-based Guyanese, who was the driver.
The ranks asked the men to exit the vehicle, after which a search was conducted on Moreno and Rochan, but nothing illegal was found. One of the ranks then proceeded to search Dutchin, and one black Taurus 9MM pistol (serial number filed out and without ammunition) was found in the crotch of his pants, the police said.
Dutchin was asked if he was the holder of a firearm licence, and he replied, saying ‘no’. He was then told of the offence committed, cautioned and remained silent.
A thorough search was conducted on the vehicle, but nothing of evidential value was found. The men were then arrested and escorted to the Alberttown Police Station, where they were placed in custody. The suspected firearm was later marked, placed into a gun evidence box in the presence of Dutchin, and lodged with the Station Sergeant in charge of the Alberttown Police Station.
