Man intercepted with gun, ammo on Thomas Street

One man is in Police custody after a gun and several rounds of various calibres of ammunition were found in his vehicle along Thomas Street, Georgetown on Monday.

   According to information received, a motorist was stopped by traffic ranks at Thomas Street, but he drove away as the Police approached him. This resulted in traffic ranks contacting their counterparts on patrol and the vehicle was subsequently intercepted. During the search, an unlicensed .38 revolver with six matching rounds along with four .9mm rounds and two .32 rounds of ammunition were recovered. The suspect is expected to be charged shortly.

Only recently, two men were arrested following the discovery of a large cache of arms during a raid at Black Water, Mahdia Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

The men, who were subsequently charged, were stopped at a road block along the Black Water Trail when fourteen 12 gauge shotgun cartridges, seventy six .38 rounds, one hundred .9mm rounds and 150 .32 rounds of ammunition were discovered in their possession.

The ammunition was found in bags the miners had in their possession. During the court proceedings, the men claimed that they were heading to the Bartica Police Station to hand in the weapons and ammunition as part of the gun amnesty programme implemented by the Public Security Ministry.

They were placed on self bail and the matter was transferred to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.

In the last few years an increasing number of serious crimes including murder and robbery have been executed by armed persons.

The Ministry of National Security has instituted an amnesty programme designed to have illegal weapons and ammunition turned in, but the response has been disappointing. The Opposition has claimed that the few weapons that have been turned in are obsolete.