Miner remanded over guns he ‘bought for protection’

A miner who claimed that he bought the two guns that police found when they searched his home for “protection” was remanded to prison when he appeared at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Ramesh Khani of Crane, West Coast Demerara admitted to four charges of unlawful possession of arms and ammunition and was remanded to prison pending sentencing by Magistrate Fazil Azeez.

According to the facts on the case, last Saturday at Crane, Khani had a .32 revolver along with two live rounds of .32 ammunition and one spent

shell without being the holder of a firearm licence. Additionally he also had a 9 mm automatic pistol along with a live round without being the holder of a firearm licence.

Police Prosecutor Anand Sukhoo told the court that a raid had been carried out on the home around 4 am and during the search the items were discovered under a mattress. He said Khani admitted that he purchased the revolver and ammunition from someone but that person, when contacted, denied this and the defendant was charged. Police in a press release had stated that following a raid at the home the items were discovered and three men and a woman held.

Khani, in explaining his actions stated that he works in the interior and had bought the guns for protection after he was robbed several times.

After listening to them the magistrate remanded him until tomorrow when he will be handed his sentences.