A 29-year-old vendor was on Monday charged and released on bail after being charged with illegal possession of a gun and ammunition.
Colwin Mercurius of 23 East LaPenitence, Georgetown, appeared before Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs- Marcus at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
The first charge stated that on November 3, 2021, at Camp Street, Georgetown, he had in his possession a .32 Tarus pistol when he was not the holder of a firearm licence enforced at the time.
The second charge stated that on the same day and at the same location, he had in his possession four .32 ammunition when he was not the holder of a firearm licence enforced at the time.
Mercurius denied both charges after they were read to him.
His lawyer, Bernard DaSilva in addressing the court stated that the gun was found in a car. According to the lawyer, his client was not the driver of the vehicle neither is he the owner of the car.
However, facts presented by the court prosecutor stated that on the day in question, Mercurius was in the front passenger seat of the motor car when it was intercepted by Police ranks.
A search was then carried out on the car and its occupants.
The firearm and matching rounds were discovered under the front passenger seat. As such, Mercurius was then told of the offence and arrested.
The prosecutor objected to bail being granted to Mercurius on the grounds of the serious nature of the offence and the penalty the charge attracts.
The Magistrate after listening to the facts released Mercurius on $150,000 bail.
He was instructed to make his next court appearance on December 6, 2021.
