Man nabbed with unlicensed gun, ammo

As part of continued efforts to remove illegal guns off the streets, Police ranks in Georgetown arrested a male in the wee hours of today after he was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm and matching ammunition.

The incident occurred at about 01:30hrs today (Sunday, March 23rd) while a Cadet Officer and a team of policemen from the Anti-Terrorism Unit from Police Headquarters were on mobile patrol duties in three force motor vehicles.

Whilst in the vicinity of Leopold and Cross Streets, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown, they heard a loud explosion that sounded like a gunshot.

The ranks then saw an identifiable male of African descent dressed in long blue jeans and a coloured hoodie, running with what appeared to be a firearm in his hand and heading in a southern direction and into a fenced yard.

Ranks chased behind the suspect, and he was apprehended.

The suspect was searched and the officers found one 9MM Beretta pistol in his pants waist. He was asked if he was the holder of a valid firearm license and said ‘no’.

The suspect was then told of the offence committed and cautioned but he remained silent. He was arrested but refused to give his name and particulars to the ranks.

The suspect along with the firearm (and a magazine with 10 matching rounds of 9mm ammunition) were escorted to Ruimveldt Police Station where the firearm was dusted for fingerprints by crime scene ranks.

The suspect was later taken to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters where his hands were swabbed for gunpowder residue. He was later placed in custody pending further investigation.