Wayne Castello, also known as ’Topcat,’ was today remanded to prison after being charged with possession of illegal arms and discharging a firearm.
Castello was shot and arrested last week after he opened fire at members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF). He was wanted for the murder of Navindra Samaroo, which occurred on July 23, 2020, at Middle Road, La Penitence.
The 27-year-old appeared before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
The first charge stated that on August 27, 2020, at East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, he had in his possession one 9mm pistol together with six matching rounds when he was not a licensed firearm holder.
It was further alleged that on August 27, 2020, he discharged a gun at police officer Kester Cosbert, with intent to maim, disfigured, or cause him actual bodily harm.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was remanded to prison until September 23, 2020, when he will appear before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty.
Facts presented by Prosecutor Sanj Singh stated that on the day in question, at around 20:05 hrs, officer Cosbert and other ranks on were on patrol duty in the East LaPenitence area when they made contact with Castello, who was wanted for the murder of Navindra Samaroo, which occurred on July 23, 2020, at Middle Road, La Penitence.
The officers disembarked their vehicle, and Castello, upon seeing them, discharged several rounds in their direction.
Officer Costbert then returned fire, causing a bullet to hit Castello on his left leg below his knee. He was then arrested and taken into custody.
In relation to the murder committed on Samaroo, the file is at the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), awaiting legal advice.
Samaroo was an agent for a phone card company and was involved in the sale and distribution of phone cards and collecting large sums of money on the company’s behalf.
