Chainsaw operator remanded for possession of unlicensed gun and ammunition

By Royan Abrams

A Sand Hills, Berbice River resident was remanded to prison when he appeared in the Albion Magistrates’ Court after he was arrested earlier in the week for having an unlicensed gun and ammunition in his possession.

Twenty-eight year old Mark Vanlavin pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him by Magistrate Marissa Mettleholzer on Friday November 18, 2016.

The court heard that on November 15, 2016 the police acting on information received, went to a house at Mount Sinai, New Amsterdam and conducted a search while Vanlavin was the only occupant at the time.

The accused was asked which room is his and a search was conducted in his presence and a .765 mm Taurus Pistol was found with ten live .32 mm ammunition along with several other items believed to be stolen. Vanlavin was arrested and charged.

While making an application for bail, Vanlavin’s attorney told the court that his client is not a flight risk and that at the time of the discovery of the firearm, his client had just returned to Mount Sinai, New Amsterdam from Sand Hills in the Berbice River.

The attorney argued that the gun and ammunition could have belonged to anyone as the house is shared among several persons.

However the police Prosecutor pointed out that the accused was the one who took the officers to the room and there is no special reason why the accused should be granted bail.

After hearing the case the magistrate refused bail and Vanlavin is expected to make another court appearance on December 16, 2016 at the New Amsterdam Magistrates’ Court.