A boat captain was yesterday granted $250,000 bail after he denied having possession of quantity of ammunition, which was allegedly found hidden in a boat in the Pomeroon River last Friday.
The charge was read to Rollin Fernandes, 28, a resident of Jacklow, Lower Pomeroon River yesterday, when he appeared before Magistrate Esther Sam at the Ann Regina Magistrate’s Court.
Fernandes pleaded not guilty and bail was granted to him, with the condition that he report to the Charity Police Station on the last Friday of every month until the completion of his trial.
The matter was adjourned until November 5th, when it will be called at the Charity Magistrate’s Court.
Fernandes and another man were arrested on Friday after a search by members of the Joint Services uncovered an unlicensed shotgun and 67 matching rounds hidden aboard their boat.
The police had said that the discovery was made around 3.15 pm last Friday, when the Joint Services, comprising ranks from the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) and the Coast Guard, carried out a stop and search operation at the floating base located at the mouth of the Pomeroon River.
The team, which was being commanded by an Assistant Superintendent of Police at the time, searched a cargo vessel, where it found the unlicensed 12-gauge shotgun and 67 matching cartridges concealed in the bow.
As a result, Fernandes and the 32-year-old bowman, also a resident of Jacklow, Pomeroon, were arrested, pending charges.
However, while Fernandes was charged, Stabroek News understands that the bowman, who reportedly admitted to ownership of the gun and ammunition, was released on station bail pending further investigations.
