Interdicted Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard Lieutenant Dominic Gilpin, who was recently nabbed with $2.5M worth in cannabis along with an unlicensed loaded firearm was on Thursday remanded to prison.
Thirty-year-old Gilpin of Parika, East Bank Essequibo was charged jointly with Paul Murray, a 30-year-old miner of Luther Housing Scheme, New Amsterdam, Berbice; they both appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.
They pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that on September 30, 2019, at Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown, they had five kilograms of cannabis in their possession for the purpose of trafficking.
Gilpin was charged separately for having a .32 Taurus pistol along with two matching rounds in his possession without a licensed; he pleaded not guilty.
The GDF rank was represented by Attorneys-at-law Latchmie Rahamat and Siand Dhurjon while Murray was represented by Attorney Patrice Henry.
Rahamat told the court that the cannabis was found in the trunk of Gilpin’s car while the firearm and ammunition were found in the middle compartment between the front seats.
The Attorney explained that her client had other persons in his vehicle at the time and he left his car with the key in the ignition as he went about conducting other business on the day in question.
Rahamat said her client maintains his innocence and does not have knowledge of the narcotics and firearm.
Meanwhile, Murray’s Attorney also argued that her client has no knowledge of the illegal items and that he was merely a passenger in the car.
Police prosecutor Ceon Blackman told the court that on the day in question about 14:00 hrs, the Police intercepted motorcar PXX 94, driven and owned by Gilpin.
The Police told him of the intel received that he is suspected of trafficking narcotics and requested to conduct a search. Murray was an occupant in the vehicle at the time.
It is alleged that Gilpin pointed to the middle compartment of his vehicle and told the Police that he has a firearm inside which he uses for protection when he conducts financial transactions.
Gilpin then opened the trunk of his motorcar and showed the Police where the cannabis was stashed, the court was told.
Prosecutor Blackman objected to bail being granted to both defendants based on the seriousness of the charge and the amount of narcotics involved, however, Attorney Dhurjon raised concerns about Gilpin’s safety if he is placed behind bars.
Magistrate McGusty released Murray on $250,000 bail and remanded Gilpin to prison. The men will return to court on October 17, 2019.
Murrray was ordered to lodge his passport at the court and report to the Central Police Station every Monday.
