Businessman arrested after discovery of millions in foreign & local currency, illegal AK-47 rifle & ammo

In a dramatic Police raid, 42-year-old businessman Weston Pickering of Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, was arrested after the discovery of a substantial amount of currency both foreign and local, an illegal AK-47 assault rifle, and matching rounds of ammunition at his residence on Sunday.

Police Headquarters said the intelligence-led operation was conducted by an Assistant Superintendent and a team from the Providence Police Station at approximately 18:25 hrs. Officers searched Pickering’s home at Lot 2 Somerset Court Housing Scheme, Herstelling, East Bank Demerara. Police said Pickering was informed that they were there to search for arms, ammunition, and drugs, and he consented to the search.

The search revealed a significant stash of currency hidden in a brown suitcase in a room of the house. The currencies discovered included $11,312 CAD ($1.7 million GYD), $1,583 USD ($331, 208 GYD), $10 Chinese Yuan ($291 GYD), $5,120 TTD ($157, 518 GYD), $70 BBD ($7, 322 GYD), $50 JMD ($66 GYD), $3,405 GBP ($909, 126 GYD), $120 Euros ($27, 409 GYD), and $480,000 GYD.

In addition to the money, police found an AK-47 rifle wrapped in a brown towel inside a washing machine on the lower flat of the property, along with 29 live matching rounds in a magazine and 30 live matching rounds hidden in black and white socks. Additionally, six live 9mm rounds of ammunition were found in a bedroom on the upper flat.

Pickering, who did not hold a firearm license and remained silent when cautioned about the possession of the illegal weapon, was arrested and taken into custody. Further investigations are ongoing.