Four days after ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) nabbed five persons in boats travelling along the Cuyuni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and unearthed grenades, several weapons and narcotics, the men were taken before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Two of the five are Guyanese and have been identified as 26-year-old Herilall Gildarie, a boat captain of Eteringbang Landing, and 52-year-old Chandradat Satram, a general manager of a mining company.
Gildarie was represented by Attorney Patrice Henry, who made a successful application for bail on an illegal ammunition charge, but his client was remanded for a narcotics charge.
Satram was represented by Attorney Mark Conway, who was unsuccessful in securing bail for two firearm-related charges.
Meanwhile, the other three defendants, who are Venezuelan, were charged separately for possession of hand grenades.
They have been identified as 37-year-old Eulice Maneiro, along with Luis Gonzales and Daniel Contreras, both aged 27, who, according to investigators, are alleged members of the Sindicato gang.
Police Prosecutor Quinn Harris informed the court that based on the outcome of thorough investigations, Gonzales and Contreras were found to be members of the Sindicato gang.
However, by means of a translator, the two foreigners claimed that they have no part in the Sindicato gang, but were rather threatened by the gang members, who were on the boat at the time of the interception to carry the grenades.
The Police Prosecutor objected to bail citing the seriousness of the charge and the prevalence and penalty it attracts.
The men were all remanded to prison and the case will continue at Kamarang Magistrate’s Court on March 18, 2019.
Last week, the Police reported that ranks in F Division (Interior Locations) intercepted a boat about 13:30h and conducted a search of its occupants.
The ammunition, grenades, and firearm found during the searches
During the search, ranks unearthed a live 12-gauge cartridge and 271 grams of cannabis in the possession of the 26-year-old Guyanese Captain of Eteringbang Landing.
Meanwhile, about 15:30h on Thursday last, the ranks intercepted another boat at Mode Hole, Cuyuni River, and two of the 17 occupants were found in possession of a live grenade each.
Later in the day, a third vessel was intercepted around 17:30h and during a search, one of the two occupants who resides at Enterprise on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) was found in possession of an unlicensed pistol with 11 live matching rounds.
Then, later on Thursday, about 23:30h, the ranks searched a boat at Eteringbang Landing, and found in possession of the 27-year-old Venezuelan Captain, five live rounds of ammunition.
