Venezuelan slapped with 2-year suspended sentence, fined $50,000 for having spent gun shells

A Venezuelan national, who claimed that he made jewellery with ammunition, was on Thursday slapped with a two-year suspended sentence and fined $50,000 by Magistrate Ann McLennan when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Thirty-one-year-old Ivon Marques plead guilty to the charge which alleged that on July 6, 2019 at Black Water Landing, North West District (NWD), he had two spent 9mm shells in his possession.
The defendant, in his address to the Court, stated that “I came to look for a better life and I make jewellery with those”.
Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield stated that on the day in question, ranks of the Mabaruma Police Station, acting on information received, went to Black Water Landing, where they made contact with the defendant and identified themselves.
The Police then asked to conduct a search on his person but nothing was found.
However, a further search was carried out on a haversack that the defendant was carrying, when the two spent shells were found.
The defendant was told of the allegations and cautioned by the ranks when he reportedly admitted that the spent shells belonged to him.
The ranks then asked the defendant if he was a licenced firearm holder, in which he denied. He was then arrested and escorted to Georgetown.
The Prosecutor further indicated to the Court that the defendant had no legal status in Guyana when checks were made.
The Magistrate, upon her ruling, also instructed the Police to escort Marques to the nearest port of exit at the nearest possible date.