Newswatch

Taxi Driver in Police Custody After Firearm and Suspected Cannabis Seized During Berbice Operation

Taxi Driver in Police Custody After Firearm and Suspected Cannabis Seized During Berbice Operation

A police operation targeting illegal firearms and narcotics has resulted in the arrest of a 30-year-old taxi driver of New Amsterdam, Berbice, after officers allegedly discovered nearly 15 kilogrammes of suspected cannabis along with a loaded revolver at his residence.

According to police, ranks from Regional Division Six carried out an intelligence-driven exercise at approximately 11:45 a.m. after receiving information about possible illegal activity at the property. During the search of the home, officers found several transparent plastic-wrapped parcels containing leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis sativa. The parcels had been concealed inside two blue plastic barrels.

Police reported that the suspect admitted ownership of the substance when it was discovered. The search continued, leading officers to a wooden chest of drawers where they allegedly found a silver-coloured .38 special revolver. The firearm was loaded with six matching rounds of ammunition.

The suspected cannabis was later transported to the Central Police Station, where it was weighed in the presence of the suspect and recorded at 14.65 kilogrammes. Investigators extracted samples from each parcel, sealed them in marked evidence bags and submitted them for forensic laboratory testing. The firearm and ammunition were also processed and sent for ballistic examination.

The taxi driver remains in police custody and is expected to face three charges: possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition without a licence. Police investigations into the matter are ongoing. The report was filed for LRTVS Newswatch.

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