UZI WEAPON SCARE
– intercepted Uzi  semi-automatic weapon has ‘never been seen locally’
– Commander Merai says Police ‘Lucky’ to have intercepted those high-powered weapons
POLICE Commander in Berbice, Steve Merai, has expressed concern over the recovery of an Israeli made Uzi semi-automatic assault rifle which was intercepted on the Adelphi Public Road, East Canje last Tuesday evening.
Merai said that in the thirty years that he has been a member of the Guyana Police Force, he saw such a weapon only once, and it was a smaller version.
The retrieved weapon, which has frightened civilians, would have been a matter of concern if it had gone into action, Merai said yesterday.
Describing the weapon as a semi-automatic assault rifle, the Commander observed that it was in “a fairly good condition…can be used immediately…persons handling it have knowledge of storing weapons…(and) have had a military background.”
“I must say we are lucky to have intercepted these weapons [including the AK-47’s which were stolen from the Guyana Defence Force and the pump-action shot gun]. We will continue our patrol and employ new strategies in order to intercept more,” he declared.
He opined that the weapons, which are to be tested by ballistic experts, were  used in several robberies  along the Corentyne coastland including that committed in May this year during  which  Arjune Gobin, a security guard attached to Nand Persaud & Co Ltd., was fatally shot.
On Tuesday night, three alert Police ranks – two of whom recently graduated from  the Felix Austin Training School – intercepted the arms cache on Adelphi Public Road, Canje, while travelling in an unmarked vehicle after investigations into a report of assault.
The ranks observed two male suspects, who were on a bicycle and both of whom are known to the police, with a bulky bag.

When a rank approached the suspects, they reportedly dropped the bicycle and started to run in separate directions. One of the suspects escaped but the one with the bag was pursued and caught while putting up a fight, in the process of which he bit two of the cops.

Merai said a search of the bag revealed two AK 47’s, one UZ1 9mm semi automatic pistol, one twelve gauge shotgun and three live 12 gauge cartridges.
Merai, speaking to Berbice media operators at a press briefing at the Divisional Headquarters in New Amsterdam on Thursday, was accompanied by Acting Deputy Commander, Superintendent Lyndon Alves and Berbice Crime Chief, Superintendent Courtney Ramsey.
Superintendent Alves, a firearms expert, responded to several questions during which he said the Israeli-made Uzi semi automatic weapon, which can accommodate a silencer, is of high velocity, but is not in the local inventory.
A single shot, he said, can release approximately 200 to 300 rounds per minute and the shooting range is about 200 meters.
Alves said he had never seen the semi automatic weapon locally, but had been exposed to the weapon whilst on overseas training.
Meanwhile, Merai told the media that information received suggested that the cache of arms was designated for Central Corentyne where attacks were planned for the business community.
He took the opportunity to assure the entrepreneurs that the Police are on top of the situation, and will continue to be vigilant as they serve and protect the residents.
The Commander said, too, that the gang members are known to the police, while revealing that two gangs are in operation from the Upper Corentyne and East Canje locations, the latter of which was led by David ‘Colonel’ Mc Pherson, who was shot dead by police in June this year.
Merai said information garnered so far has revealed that prison escapee, Samuel Fable known as ‘John Fable’ or ‘John Simpson’ of Alness and Fyrish Villages on the Corentyne and who now resides in neighbouring Suriname, would periodically join the group, carrying out attacks at Black Bush Polder,  accessing the agricultural community through the waterways .
“We will intercept him, and the others we have on the list,” Merai declared.
Commending the young policemen who made the arrest on Tuesday night, the Commander said, “they did not violate the suspect…they acted professionally.”
Asked whether the ranks will be rewarded, Merai said the hierarchy of the Force will decide.
Meanwhile, Superintendent Ramsey said the suspect will be charged shortly and a wanted bulletin issued for his accomplice.