Suspected Sindicato Gang members remanded to prison

Two Venezuelan nationals, who are allegedly members of the feared Sindicato Gang, appeared before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus Monday, accused of being in possession of live grenades.

Luis Gonzales and Daniel Contreras, both age 27, were charged separately for having a live grenade each in their possession on January 17, 2019, at Mode Hill, Cuyuni River without being holders of a firearm licence.

The men were unrepresented and initially pleaded guilty but after hearing their explanation, the Magistrate entered a not guilty plea and remanded them to prison until March 18, 2019, when they are slated to appear at the Kamarang Magistrate’s Court.

Police Prosecutor, Quinn Harris informed the court that at about 17:00hrs on the day in question, Joint Services ranks were on water patrol along the Cuyuni River when they saw a boat with passengers.

The ranks made contact with the boat when the found the grenades hidden in the pants crotch of the two accused.

The Prosecutor informed the court that Gonzales is the second in command of the Sindicato Gang while Contreras is a senior member.

Through an interpreter, the two Venezuelan nationals told the Magistrate that a “big one” gave them the grenades to keep while on the boat and threatened to hurt their families if they did not comply.