Man remanded for firearm, matching ammo found in taxi

A Venezuelan-based Guyanese youth was on Thursday morning arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan to face charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and matching ammunition which he had allegedly left in a city taxi.

Jose Adwell denied the charge which stated that on May 15, 2017, at Georgetown, he was in possession of one 9mm pistol along with 14 rounds of matching live ammunition. The unrepresented man cut a lone figure in the prisoner’s dock, contending that he has no knowledge of the charges brought against him. The court heard that Adwell currently resides at East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, being 21 years of age.

Prosecutor Arvin Moore related that on the day of the incident, the defendant was a passenger in a city taxi when the driver noticed a firearm sitting in the passenger seat of the cab after dropping off his client. The driver then reportedly drove to the Ruimveldt Police Station where he made a report of the find and lodged the gun, leading Police ranks to his vehicle to retrieve the weapon. He then escorted the officers to the address where he had dropped off the suspect who was contacted shortly hereafter, cautioned and placed into custody.

Bail was denied by the Chief Magistrate and the man was remanded to the Camp Street Prison. According to Moore, Adwell reportedly admitted to the Police in a caution statement to ownership of the weapon.

The court was told that the ballistics report is outstanding and the matter was adjourned to June 7.