A former policeman while watering his plants yesterday stumbled upon a firearm and immediately handed it over to the police, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum said.
Speaking to Stabroek New yesterday Blanhum said that the ex-cop who lives in an East Coast Demerara village was in his garden when he discovered the gun. The handing over of the gun comes one day after the gun amnesty programme came to an end.
The programme which was developed by government to grapple with the increase in gun crimes and as a measure to get rid of illegal firearms, explosives and ammunition off the streets was originally to be held from September 1 to 30. Given its “big success” government took a decision to extend it by two weeks.
A total of 142 weapons inclusive of 115 shotguns were handed in during the initial period. Asked about the number of weapons handed in during the period October 1 to 14, Blanhum said that they are still collecting figures from the various divisions and will be compiling a final figure.
