Vendor refused bail over Eping Ave guns, drugs

A 30-year-old vendor was yesterday refused bail when he appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on seven different charges, including trafficking in narcotics and possession of unlicensed firearms.

It is alleged that on March 26 at Eping Avenue, Dustin Jackson had in his possession one .32 Taurus pistol and 15 matching live rounds, without being the holder of a licence for any of the two items mentioned.

On the same day also in Garnett Street, Kitty, he had in his possession 18 .32 live rounds, an unlicensed .38 Taurus revolver with five matching rounds, and 700 grammes of cannabis and 40 grammes of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. The defendant pleaded not guilty to all seven charges when they were read to him at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Police Corporal Venetta Pindar in presenting the prosecution’s facts said that on the day in question, at around 21:15 hrs, police were on patrol heading north when they were stopped by a male individual who told them that he was being threatened by a man, who was driving motor vehicle PJJ 8117. The court heard that acting on the information received the officers came upon the defendant in Eping Avenue, driving the vehicle in question.

They proceeded to search the vehicle and found an unlicensed .32 Taurus pistol with 15 matching rounds.

The ranks then proceeded to the defendant’s home at 226 Garnet Street and found an additional 18 .32 live rounds, along with an unlicensed .38 Taurus revolver with five matching rounds, a quantity of cannabis and cocaine.

Pindar said further that the accused was told of the offence and arrested and taken to the station, where the narcotics were weighed. The defendant was subsequently charged for the offences.

Jackson was refused bail and the matter was transferred to Court Five for March 30.