Duo linked to discovery of AK-47 rifles in Berbice remanded to prison

Days after Gregory Persaud and Antonio Alonzo Lawrie surrendered to the police in connection with the ongoing investigation into the discovery of ten AK-47 rifles in Berbice, they were on Monday charged and remanded to prison. Antonio Alonzo Lawrie, 33, and Gregory Persaud, 21, both of Farm Village, East Bank Demerara (EBD), were slapped with a conspiracy to commit a felony charge.

They appeared before Magistrate Rhondel Weever at the Wales Magistrate’s Court and pleaded not guilty to the charges when it was read to them. As such, they were remanded to prison until July 29, 2026. Police on Saturday stated that following the arrest of Persaud and Lawrie, they conducted a further search at Farm, EBD, which led to the discovery of one extended magazine for a 9mm firearm and the arrest of a 21-year-old wash bay attendant. The magazine was reportedly found in a clothes basket in the suspect’s bedroom. Another suspect, Ryan Singh from Parika Outfall Seadam, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), for whom a wanted bulletin was issued, is yet to be apprehended.

It was reported that the police were executing a stop-and-search exercise in the vicinity of the Berbice River Bridge Access Road late last month. Reports indicate that police ranks attempted to stop a black Toyota Fielder wagon bearing registration number HC 9018, but the vehicle fled the scene. It was also reported that, acting on information received afterward, investigators conducted a search along the Number 11 Village Public Road, East Coast Berbice (ECB), where the 10 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 the serial numbers. Further investigations later led police to 33-year-old Stephen Rajah, a taxi driver of Back Street, Goed Fortuin Village, West Bank Demerara (WBD), who was intercepted at Nabaclis, East Coast Demerara (ECD), while allegedly driving the same Toyota Fielder wagon identified during the operation. He has been charged and remanded to prison. 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 to transport the weapons.