Berbice AK-47 cache case: “I never committed any crime before” – charged taxi driver tells court

…remanded to prison; 3 wanted by Police

A 33-year-old taxi driver who allegedly became linked to the discovery of 10 AK-47 rifles in Berbice pleaded with the court for leniency on Thursday before being remanded to prison on a firearm possession charge.
“I never committed any crime before,” Stephen Rajah told the court moments before Magistrate Renita Singh refused him bail at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court.

He said he had cooperated fully with the Police in their investigations, and he was pressured into what happened.
“I am only a taxi driver,” he said.
Rajah, a taxi driver of Back Street, Goed Fortuin Village, West Bank Demerara, was charged with possession of firearms following last Friday’s dramatic Police operation in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
Special prosecutor attorney-at-law Aartie Khoblall appeared for the prosecution.
Rajah was not required to plead to the indictable charge.
Khoblall said the file was incomplete and the Police needed to put all of the statements together.
In a final appeal to the court, the accused said, “I beg for your release to go home and get some sleep,” he said quietly.
However, bail was refused, and Rajah was remanded to prison until June 15.
Police said the charge stemmed from the discovery of ten AK-47 rifles during an operation carried out along the Berbice River Bridge Access Road between 01:00h and 04:30h on Friday.
It had been reported that Police ranks were conducting a stop-and-search exercise when they intercepted a black Toyota Fielder waggon bearing registration number HC 9018.
Police alleged that the driver of the vehicle suddenly sped away from the ranks and escaped eastward.
It was also reported that, acting on information received afterwards, investigators conducted a search along the Number Village Public Road, Corentyne, where the ten rifles were allegedly found wrapped in plastic and cloth.
Police said the weapons bore markings consistent with 7.62x39mm AK-47 rifles.
Investigators also reported that sections of the firearms appeared to have been tampered with, leading to suspicions that efforts were made to obscure serial numbers.
The rifles were subsequently escorted to the Central Police Station, where they remain lodged pending further forensic and ballistic examinations.
Further investigations later led Police to Rajah, who was intercepted at Nabaclis, East Coast Demerara, while allegedly driving the same Toyota Fielder waggon identified during the operation.
Police have also linked a second vehicle, a white Toyota Runx bearing registration number PSS 4272, to the investigation.
The car was later discovered abandoned at Second Street, Savannah Park, New Amsterdam.
Investigators suspect the vehicle may also have been used in transporting the weapons.
During Thursday’s proceedings, Rajah maintained that he knew nothing about the firearms.

3 wanted
Meanwhile, as the discovery of the 10 AK-47 rifles triggered an investigation by Police to determine the origin and intended destination of the weapons, wanted bulletins have been issued for three men in connection with the ongoing investigation.
On Thursday afternoon, the Police issued the wanted bulletins for the trio.
The wanted men are identified as Antonio Alonzo Lawrie, Ryan Singh and Gregory Anthony Persaud.
According to the wanted notices issued by Police, the trio is being sought in relation to the offence of unlawful possession of firearms allegedly committed on May 22, 2026.
Police listed Lawrie’s last known addresses as Farm Village, East Bank, Demerara and Lot 72, Grant 1805, Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, Berbice. Singh’s last known address was given as Parika Outfall Seadam, East Bank Essequibo, while Persaud was said to have lived at Area G Ogle and Farm Village, East Coast Demerara.