Three men on Wednesday appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with illegal possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
The weapons which were found in the car
Jason Hunte and Terrence Frank pleaded not guilty to both of the charges when it was read to them. However, Micheal Vanderscoop admitted to the offences.
The first charge stated that on September 6, 2018, at Samantha Point, Grove, East Bank Demerara, the trio had in their possession one 9mm unlicensed firearm along with 9 live rounds of ammunition. The second charge alleged that on the same day at the same location, the trio were also found to have in their possession a 4.5mm unlicensed firearm along with four live rounds of ammunition.
The prosecution is contending that on September 6, 2018, at about 09:30h, Police acting on information stopped a white Toyota Fielder Wagon, PSS 1418, and conducted a search during which they found the items in a bag on the back seat of the car. The trio were arrested and taken to the Ruimveldt Police Station where Vanderscoop in a caution statement told the Police that it was Hunte, who had planned a robbery in which the weapons were supposed to be used.
In court on Wednesday, Vanderscoop was jailed for two years. Additionally, he was fined $50,000 for each of the offences. Hunte and Frank were remanded to prison.
The matter was transferred to the Providence Magistrate’s Court where it will continue on September 21.
