Linden, Diamond businessmen held over shotgun, ganja at Omai Landing

Two businessmen from Linden and Diamond, East Bank Demerara have been taken into custody pending charges of illegal firearm and drug possession after they were intercepted by ranks in separate incidents at Omai Landing, Region 8.

The two businessmen were apprehended early yesterday morning after an unlicenced 12-gauge shotgun, three live cartridges and a small quantity of cannabis were found in their places of business, at Omai Landing during separate raids.

According to police, the illegal gun was discovered in the wee hours of yesterday when ranks acting on information swooped down on a shop at Omai Landing and conducted a search.

20161103-ganga-and-gunsThe 59-year old businessman, a resident of Diamond Housing Scheme was said to have been present at the time of the raid and admitted to ownership of the firearm and ammunition.

Ranks acting on further information went to a shop at Omai Landing at about 3 am yesterday and conducted a search on premises belonging to a 49-year old shop owner.

During the search, ranks reportedly unearthed 229 grammes of cannabis in small zip-lock packages. The man who reportedly hails from One Mile, Wismar, Linden, also claimed ownership of the illegal substance.

Meanwhile, ranks in Mabaruma, North West District on Tuesday morning arrested two men after they were found in possession of an improvised shotgun with one live cartridge at Hotoquai, Barima, North West District.

The discovery, was said to have been made on a plot of land where the police also discovered dozens of cannabis sativa seedlings in containers.

According to the police, at approximately 10:30 pm on Tuesday, ranks responded to a report of threats made against a Village Leader by one of the suspects.

It was during the investigation of the report that the discovery was made. The suspects who reside at Mabaruma and Port Kaituma respectively are expected to be arraigned shortly.