Miner, 65, arrested after giving gun to unlicensed friend for safe keeping

A licensed firearm holder and construction worker are in police custody after the latter was found with the gun and claimed it was given to him for safekeeping.

A statement from Police Headquarters noted that about 04:15 hrs on Monday, a Supernumerary Rank attached to a Private Security Service contacted the Beterverwagting Police Station and reported that he retrieved a firearm from a man at a bar located in Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara.

The rank retrieved the weapon from the 26-year-old construction worker after he was seen walking with it in his hand.

As a result, Police ranks went to the location where they contacted the Supernumerary rank, who handed over a firearm – a 9mm pistol and 15 live matching rounds.

The ranks then questioned the 26-year-old of Mon Repos and he related that the firearm is licensed to a 65-year-old Gold Miner of Providence, East Bank Demerara, who gave him the firearm for safekeeping because he was consuming alcohol.

The licensed firearm holder was contacted and the firearm and ammunition were lodged.

Both the licensed firearm holder and the Construction Worker are presently in custody. Investigations continue.