Mayhem broke loose during a funeral procession in Georgetown earlier this week, after Police came face to face with a group of “gunmen”. It was reported that one of the suspects was arrested.
The firearm that was found by Police
While details on the incident remain sketchy, a report from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) stated that ranks who were in Georgetown at the time, along with members of the “Special Branch” went to Princes and Victor Streets, Georgetown, where a funeral was in procession.
When the cops arrived, it was alleged that a group of men who were seen standing in the street started running in various directions. As the ranks gave chase, a .32 Taurus pistol without magazine was found on the ground, where the men were seen running from.
The men managed to escape, except for a 23-year-old male who is now in custody pending further investigations.
Only a few days ago ranks of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) unearthed illegal firearms and ammunition.
During the operation, two handguns were seized, one was a Taurus 9 mm pistol along with a 10-round magazine and the other was a .38 Special Revolver.
According to CANU, these operations are part of its collaboration with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to keep communities safe as part of the National Safe Country Strategy.
In November 2021, President Dr Irfaan Ali had announced that Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall has been tasked with working on an amendment to the country’s law to ensure there is a higher penalty in place for persons who unlawfully possess firearms.
The Head of State had also noted that Government will grant a period of amnesty for persons in possession of illegal firearms to turn them over.
However, when this period expires and the amended law comes into play, the President warned that those individuals will face stiffer penalties.
