Goed Fortuin taxi driver remanded after discovery of AK-47 rifles

A 33-year-old taxi driver of Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara, was on Thursday remanded to prison after being charged in connection with the discovery of ten AK-47 rifles in Berbice.

Stephen Rajah appeared before the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court where a possession of firearm charge was read to him.

He was not required to plead to the indictable offence and was remanded to prison after bail was refused. The matter was adjourned to June 15, 2026.

Rajah was arrested on Friday, May 22, after Police ranks, who conducting a stop-and-search exercise along the Berbice River Bridge Access Road, intercepted a black Toyota Fielder Wagon bearing registration number HC 9018. Police said the driver sped away from the ranks and escaped.

Acting on information received, ranks later searched an area along No. 11 Village Public Road, Corentyne, where ten AK-47 rifles wrapped in plastic and cloth were discovered.

Investigators said the firearms bore markings consistent with 7.62x39mm rifles and appeared tampered with, allegedly to obscure serial numbers.

Rajah was later intercepted at Nabaclis, East Coast Demerara, in the same vehicle and taken into custody as investigations continue.