Firearms, ammo, drugs seized in Police raids on ECD 

A series of intelligence-led operations conducted on Thursday across several communities on the East Coast Demerara (ECD) resulted in the seizure of two firearms, quantities of ammunition and cannabis, with four persons now in Police custody as investigations continue. Reports are that at about 19:30h, an intelligence-led operation was carried out at a supermarket at Plaisance, ECD.
Ranks who were on motorcycle patrol went to the location, where they observed a security guard on duty with what appeared to be a firearm tucked into the front waistband of his pants. The man was approached and questioned by the ranks, during which a 9mm pistol, along with a magazine containing three live 9mm rounds of ammunition, was found in his possession. Upon enquiry, the individual stated that he was not the holder of a firearm licence or permit.

The suspect was identified as a 37-year-old male security guard of South Ruimveldt, Georgetown. He was escorted to the Sparendaam Police Station, where the firearm and ammunition were processed and lodged pending investigations. He remains in Police custody. In another intelligence-led operation conducted around the same time, also at about 19:30h, ranks on mobile patrol went to a supermarket at Good Hope, ECD. During the operation, ranks made contact with a security guard who was observed in possession of a shotgun.
The individual was questioned, and a 12-gauge shotgun along with five live 12-gauge cartridges was found in his possession. Further enquiries revealed that he was not in possession of a firearm licence or a precept. The suspect, a 24-year-old male of Lusignan, ECD, was arrested and escorted to the Vigilance Police Station. The firearm and ammunition were subsequently processed and lodged as investigations continue. Later that evening, at about 20:00h, another intelligence-led operation was carried out at a residence at Unity, Mahaica, ECD.
During a search of the premises, ranks discovered a black plastic bag concealed in the kitchen area. The bag contained several small zip-lock plastic bags with leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis. A 26-year-old male fisherman and a 63-year-old female, both occupants of the residence, were arrested and escorted to the Cove and John Police Station along with the suspected narcotics. The cannabis was weighed in the presence of the suspects and amounted to 82.11 grams before being processed and lodged. All four suspects remain in custody as investigations into the separate incidents continue.