…allegedly pushed gun into friend’s bag after being pulled over for traffic offence
A 30-year-old businessman of New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara was arrested on Friday after he and three others were found with a black .32 Taurus pistol and a magazine containing 11 rounds of matching ammunition.
Police have said that at about 17:00h on Friday, an anti-crime patrol was on the public road at Grove, East Bank Demerara when they observed Toyota Tacoma PYY 9229 being driven dangerously in the vicinity of Jimbo Bridge at Grove.
Ranks stopped the vehicle, and the driver was instructed to proceed to the Grove Police Station under escort.
The gun and ammunition that were found in the businessman’s vehicle
There, the driver gave his name to police officers, and three other occupants were observed in the vehicle. A search was carried out on the vehicle, but nothing illegal was found.
Police then observed that a woman in the vehicle had a black handbag, which was searched in her presence, and a black .32 Taurus pistol and a magazine containing 11 rounds of matching ammunition were found in the handbag.
The woman was asked if she was the holder of a firearm licence, and she replied in the negative. She was then told of the offence committed, arrested, and cautioned, after which she replied: “[name given] put it in my bag”.
Video and audio interviews were subsequently separately conducted with the woman and the young businessman, who were both cautioned and had their stories video-recorded. According to Police, the man admitted to ownership of the firearm and ammunition, and said that while being escorted to Grove Police Station, he put the firearm in the woman’s bag.
Police have said that the man accepted full knowledge, possession, and control of the firearm and ammunition, and the woman claimed she was of the view that the businessman was a licensed firearm holder. (G9)
