The items that were found in the car during the search
An intelligence-led operation conducted by ranks from Regional Police Division #6 (East Berbice-Corentyne) in early Saturday morning in Crabwood Creek, Berbice, led to the successful arrest of two men and the significant seizure of a cache of illegal items.
The operation, which was carried out based on gathered intelligence, resulted in the discovery of an unlicensed 9MM pistol and seven .32 calibre rounds of ammunition hidden inside a motorcar.
In addition to the firearm and ammunition, a quantity of both local and foreign currency was also seized during the operation.
The two male suspects, aged 25 and 37, were arrested at the scene and are currently in custody assisting with the investigation.
The car that police searched
Police have not yet disclosed further details regarding the identities of the suspects or the origin of the firearm.
This operation comes amid alarming statistics regarding the influx of illegal firearms into Guyana.
Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn recently disclosed that over 180 illegal firearms were seized by law enforcement in 2024, compared to 128 in 2023.
“They are not made in Guyana. We barely could make a bicycle spoke,” the Minister had said, underscoring the smuggling of weapons from countries in the North, North East, and beyond.
According to the Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum, weapons originating from countries such as Brazil, Austria, Italy, Russia, Belgium, and Germany have been linked to criminal activities in Guyana.
Minister Benn emphasised that “we have to work with those who may have or not have illegal firearms here and to up the screening at the ports in relation to firearms.
