The two men who were allegedly intercepted with guns in the Botanical Gardens were yesterday refused bail by Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus and remanded to prison until December 5, 2022.
The two, 32-year-old Alpha Fletcher also called ‘Alpha’ of Lot 2 Calcutta, Mahaicony and Larron Semple also called ‘Baby’, 32, of Fort Street, Kings-ton, Georgetown, were arraigned in the George-town Magistrate’s Court where the charge of possession of a firearm without being the holder of a firearm licence was read to them. The charge alleges that on November 3rd, at the Georgetown Botanical Gardens, they each had in their possession a Glock 17 pistol.
Attorney Brandon DeSantos who represented ‘Alpha’, during his bail application, argued his client’s innocence on the grounds of multiple occupancy. He said that his client was hired to go to the Gardens, which he and his co-accused did. DeSantos said that while there, his client’s co-accused took something from his pocket, suspected to be one of the guns, and placed it on the floor of the vehicle. The attorney said that it shows that neither of guns was found on his client and that his client was not the only one in the vehicle.
On the other hand, ‘Baby’s’ attorney, Patrice Henry, told the court that his client and the other suspect received a call and his client, who was the driver, proceeded to the Gardens where he was intercepted by Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU) ranks. Henry also argued that neither gun was directly found on his client, but rather, one was found next to his foot on the floor of the vehicle and the other on a seat in the vehicle.
During the court hearing yesterday, the Police Prosecutor said that on the day in question, the two defendants were in a tinted motor vehicle at the Gardens when ranks from CANU carried out a search on the said vehicle and two firearms were found.
One of the firearms was found next to the driver, on the floor of the vehicle, while the other was found on the back seat of the vehicle. The prosecutor said that when ‘Baby’ was asked his place of employment he told the CANU rank that he is employed as a security guard at Supreme Operational Security Firm and that he is permitted to carry a firearm while on duty. The prosecution strongly objected to bail due to the fact that both guns were in the sight of both defendants.
After hearing arguments from both the defence and prosecution, Principal Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus refused bail and remanded both men. They will make their next court appearance on December 5th. The prosecutor advised the court that of yesterday the case file was still incomplete and that further investigations are ongoing about the other firearm.
In a press release that was issued by CANU, it was stated that a search led to the discovery of two 9mm pistols with matching ammunition. (Aviso Paul)
