Venezuelan national jailed for illegal gun, ammo

A Venezuelan national was sentenced to two years jail by Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan on Monday after he confessed to two fire arm related charges.

Chavez Suarez pleaded guilty to the illegal possession of 15 live rounds of 9MM ammunition,which he had on December 7, 2018 at Eteringbang, Cuyuni River and to thepossession of one Beretta 9MM pistol.

The sentences will run concurrently, which means that he will only spend one yearin jail.

Suarez did not have legal representation and does not speak English. Through the aid of an interpreter, he told the Court that he had the gun for his personal protection.

Police Prosecutor, Gordon Mansfield told the Court that on the day in question, ranks from the Guyana Defence Force and Eteringbang Police Station observed theforeign national acting in a suspicious manner and decided to search him whenthey found the illegal items in a black handbag.

In addition to the jail sentence, Suarez was also fined $50,000 on each charge.