Wendell Hamilton, 41, of Roraima Housing Scheme, West Bank Demerara, was on Friday sentenced to prison after he appeared before Magistrate Rhondel Weever at the Wales Magistrate’s Court for the possession of a firearm, ammunition, narcotics, and cultivating a prohibited plant.
Hamilton was in police custody since Thursday after he was busted at his premises with a Colt AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, four live rounds of 7.62 x 39 ammunition, a quantity of suspected cannabis, and cannabis plants. Acting on intelligence, ranks led by an Assistant Superintendent went on Thursday to Hamilton’s premises and contacted the home owner. They told Hamilton of the information that they were in receipt of, and requested permission to conduct a search, to which he agreed.
During the search, the ranks found the aforementioned firearm and ammunition, four blue pills, and three transparent bags containing suspected cannabis in the living room. A search of the yard, ranks turned up three cannabis plants along with four zip lock bags containing cannabis seeds.
Hamilton was told of the offence, cautioned and arrested. The uprooted cannabis plants, along with the firearm and ammunition were taken to the La Grange Police Station. When weighed, the packaged cannabis amounted to 11.2 grammes.
In court, the accused plead guilty to all charges and was sentenced as follows: possession of a firearm – two years imprisonment; possession of ammunition – one year imprisonment; possession of narcotics – $30,000 fine or six months’ imprisonment; and cultivating a prohibited plant – $50,000 fine or six months imprisonment. The sentences will run concurrently.
