Twenty-nine-year-old, Azariah Alli appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court yesterday to answer to the charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
According to the prosecutor, Alli was found in possession of a 9mm pistol and eight live rounds of 9mm ammunition on Norton Street, Georgetown. It was alleged that Alli did not have a firearm licence.
Bernard DaSilva, Alli’s attorney, refuted the prosecutor’s version of the events, stating that his client was standing on the roadside with a friend when ranks from the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) approached. DaSilva claimed that Alli’s friend dropped a bag and fled. When CANU officers were unable to apprehend the friend, they allegedly told Alli the bag was now his responsibility unless he provided information on his associate.
Despite DaSilva’s assurances that Alli was not a flight risk and that his family would ensure his compliance with court conditions, the prosecutor objected to bail, reiterating that the firearm and ammunition were found concealed in the bag Alli had in his possession.
Magistrate Azore denied bail and Alli was remanded to prison until his next court appearance on October 23.
