5 in custody after ECD operations uncover gun, ammo

Five persons are currently in police custody following two separate operations along the East Coast Demerara (ECD) on Sunday, during which ranks uncovered ammunition, a firearm, and an air rifle.

In one operation conducted at about 22:30h to 23:00h at Hope Estate, ECD, police acting on intelligence carried out a search at the home of a 55-year-old farmer.
According to investigations, the farmer and a 51-year-old woman were at home when ranks arrived and conducted a search of the premises. During the exercise, a black bag was discovered concealed in a drawer inside a bedroom belonging to the farmer’s 26-year-old son.
The bag reportedly contained six live 12-gauge cartridges, 40 live 9mm rounds of ammunition, and one air rifle.
While the search was ongoing, the 26-year-old man and his 23-year-old female companion arrived at the property. All four individuals were arrested.
They were escorted to the Cove and John Police Station, where the ammunition and air rifle were lodged as investigations continue.
In a separate incident earlier on Sunday at about 18:30h, a 19-year-old Venezuelan national was arrested at Lusignan, ECD, after being found with a firearm and ammunition.

Police reported that ranks were in the vicinity of a business establishment along the Railway Embankment when they observed the teen acting suspiciously with what appeared to be a bulky object in the waistband of his pants.
Upon approaching him, the ranks reportedly saw the suspect remove a black object resembling a handgun and discard it on the roadway. The object was retrieved and identified as a suspected 9mm pistol fitted with a magazine containing eight live matching rounds of ammunition.
The suspect was arrested and taken to the Vigilance Police Station, where the firearm and ammunition were lodged.
All five individuals remain in police custody as investigations into both incidents continue.