Days after a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard Lieutenant was busted with a quantity of marijuana and an unlicensed firearm, he and a passenger were moments ago charged for the offences.
Thirty-year-old Dominic Gilpin, a coast guard, of Essequibo and thirty-year-old Paul Murray of Berbice appeared before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Courts.
Gilpin and Murray were jointly charged with trafficking of marijuana, while Gilpin was further charged with possession of an illegal gun and ammunition.
The first charge stated that both of them, on September 30, 2019, at Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown, had in their possession five kilograms (11 pounds) of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.
It was further alleged that on the same day and at the same location, Gilpin had in his possession one .32 Taurus pistol when he was not the holder of a firearm license enforced at the time.
The last charge stated that on the same day and at the same location, Gilpin had two rounds of .32 ammunition in his possession when he was not the holder of firearm licensed enforced at the time.
Both men denied the allegations read to them.
Gilpin, who is said to be a serving member of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) for the past 11 years, was represented by Attorney-at-law Latchmi Rahamat. Murray was represented by Attorney-at-law Patrice Henry.
Both lawyers, in an attempt to secure bail for their clients, told the court that they have unblemished criminal records and will adhere to any conditions the court applies.
However, facts presented by Police Prosecutor Seon Blackman stated that on the day in question, at around 14:00 hrs police, acting information, intercepted motor car PXX 94 which is owned and was being driven by Gilpin, while Murray was the only passenger.
The court heard that police ranks approached Gilpin and he pointed to the middle compartment of his car and told the cops officer that a gun and two matching rounds were inside due to the fact that he was conducting business.
Further checks were conducted and a quantity of leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be marijuana were found in the trunk of the car. Both men were then arrested and taken to the station.
Prosecutor Blackman made serious objections to bail being granted to both men on the grounds of the prevalence of the offence, the quantum of drugs and the penalty the offences attract.
However, Magistrate McGusty granted Murray $250,000 bail. Gilpin was remanded to prison until October 17.
