Police raid in North West District results in firearm, drug seizures

A police team from Region One conducted a successful raid in Tenapeu Backdam, North West District on Sunday, seizing illegal firearms and drugs during their operation.

At approximately 1:00 hrs, the officers, acting on information received, arrived at the camp of Randolph Duncan. Using torches and generator lights, they observed a suspicious individual – later identified as Darnel Lewis, a 24-year-old Venezuelan pork-knocker – at the top floor of a wooden camp.

As the officers approached, the man, who was shirtless and wearing pants, quickly moved to the back corner of the camp and tossed a long black object into nearby dry bushes. This prompted the officers to investigate.

Upon retrieving the object, the police identified it as a KEL-TEC KSG semi-automatic 12-gauge shotgun, which contained four live 12-gauge cartridges. Lewis was subsequently questioned about the firearm, to which he admitted ownership but stated he did not have a license.

He was informed of the offence, cautioned, and arrested. No further illegal items were found during additional searches of the camp.

Shortly after, the police team proceeded to another camp nearby, owned by Roy Goocharan, a 47-year-old gold miner from Friendship, East Bank Demerara. Goocharan, along with his two workers, Joseph Williams, 64, and Lawrence Wells, 36, both from the Barima River area, complied with the officers’ request to search their premises.

During a search of Williams’ camp, the police discovered a black, unregistered 16-gauge shotgun hidden under a mattress. The weapon contained one live 16-gauge cartridge. Williams was questioned and denied ownership of the firearm, stating he did not have a licensed gun. Further searches uncovered eight live 12-gauge cartridges and a suspected live .223 round hidden in a boot belonging to Williams. Both Williams and Wells were arrested.

In another part of the camp, the police discovered a quantity of suspected cannabis – 52 grams of leaves, seeds, and stems – hidden in two transparent plastic bags inside a black plastic bag on a shelf in Goocharan’s sleeping quarters. Goocharan was informed of the discovery, cautioned, and admitted that the items were his. He was also arrested.

All three men, Lewis, Williams, and Goocharan, are currently in police custody at the Port Kaituma Police Station, where they are assisting with ongoing investigations.

The police operation has resulted in the confiscation of two firearms, several live ammunition rounds, and a significant quantity of suspected drugs. Investigations are continuing.