2 arrested after miner gave friend gun for ‘safekeeping’

A construction worker was taken into Police custody on Monday morning after he was found with a gun, which he claimed was given to him by a friend for safekeeping. The friend, a licensed firearm holder, was also arrested.
At about 04:15h, a supernumerary rank attached to a private security service contacted the Beterverwagting Police Station and reported that he retrieved a firearm from a man at a bar located in Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara.
The rank retrieved the weapon from a 26-year-old construction worker of Mon Repos, as he was walking with it in his hand.
As a result, Police ranks went to the location where they contacted the rank and he handed over a 9mm pistol and 15 live matching rounds.
The ranks then questioned the 26-year-old construction worker and he related that the firearm is licensed to a 65-year-old gold miner of Providence, East Bank Demerara. He contended that the owner gave it to him safe keeping as he was consuming alcohol.
The licensed firearm holder was contacted and the firearm and ammunition were lodged. They were taken into custody as investigations continue. (G12)