Two weeks after a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard Lieutenant was charged and remanded after being busted with a quantity of marijuana and an unlicensed firearm, he was today granted bail for the offences.
This morning when the matter was called in the courtroom of Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty, the lawyers representing Dominic Gilpin reviewed their bail application.
The magistrate then released the 31-year-old coast guard, of Essequibo on a total of $450,000 bail.
Conditions of the bail are that he lodge his passport with the court and report every Friday to the Brickdam Police Station until the hearing and determination of the trial.
He was also instructed to make his next court appearance on November 8, 2019.
Gilpin and Paul Murray,30 of Berbice were jointly charged with trafficking of marijuana.
It is alleged 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 a 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, is being represented by Attorney-at-law Latchmi Rahamat.
Murray is being represented by Attorney-at-law Patrice Henry.
Murray was released on $250,000 bail on his first court appearance.
According to information, on the day in question, at around 14:00 hrs, police, acting on 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.
