North West man charged over unlicensed firearms, ammunition & assault

A 31-year-old labourer from Triangle Backdam Baramita, North West District was charged for possession of unlicensed firearms, ammunition, and assault on Wednesday.

Orangel Antonio Castro Rodrigces appeared before Magistrate Ravindranauth Singh at the Port Kaituma Magistrates Court.

The allegations against him are serious: on February 26, 2025, he unlawfully assaulted Yulismar Rodrigues, causing her actual bodily harm. The following day, February 27, 2025, he was found in possession of three 16-gauge live ammunition without a valid firearm license. Also, he possessed a 12-gauge shotgun (serial # AV60664E) and another shotgun (serial # 10-05), both without the necessary firearm license.

Rodrigces pleaded not guilty to all charges.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that the prosecution’s case file remains incomplete.

Rodrigces’s lawyer, Bernard Da Silva, who appeared virtually, raised concerns about potential delays due to the investigation’s nature and the court’s sitting frequency. He emphasized that there is no certainty regarding a trial date.

Da Silva asserted that Rodrigces is not a flight risk, citing his responsibilities as a husband and father to three children. He also noted that the firearms and ammunition were not found on Rodrigces, but rather hidden in bushes away from his camp in the backdam.

In response to the bail application, Magistrate Singh granted bail in the amount of $150,000 for four of the gun charges. For the assault charge, Rodrigces was permitted to self-bail.

The conditions of his bail require Rodrigces to report to the Baramita police station on the last Friday of each month.

Rodrigces is scheduled to appear in court again on June 10, 2025.