SIX men, charged with unlawful possession of Army property, were yesterday remanded to prison by Acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.
Michael and Paul Sukhoo, 48 and 37, respectively; Eugene Adams, 19 and  Michael Singh, 28, all of Spikeland, Lower Kara Kara, Linden; Umkar Persaud, 50, of Lot ‘A’ Lamaha Street and Robert Persaud, 18, of Lot 3 Middleton Street, Campbellville, both in Georgetown, all pleaded not guilty to the joint charges. Particulars of one offence said, on January 24, at Camp Groomes, along the Soesdyke/Linden Highway, the defendants were in possession of fifty-four 122 mm warheads, being components of ammunition belonging to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), without lawful authority.
The other charge said, the same day, they had explosives, two aquatic mines, also property of the GDF, without lawful authority.
Police Sergeant Lionel Harvey, prosecuting, said around 14:30 hrs, two GDF soldiers were on patrol when they saw the defendants in a Canter truck in the GDF restricted area.
Harvey said the defendants appeared to be loading scrap metal but, upon close inspection, the components of ammunition and explosives were discovered.
After the Prosecutor objected to bail, Defence Counsel Vic Puran said the case will present a challenge to the prosecution. He said, if the things are components of ammunition and explosives, they must be in working condition.
The lawyer said he can recall that, years ago, Camp Groomes was destroyed and is not in operation.
Puran said he was informed that an Army Captain (name stated) has been absent without leave since the allegation was made and counsel has knowledge that the officer sold the items as scrap metal.
The lawyer contended that the defendants are not so brave to walk into a restricted Army area and pick up explosives and ammunition, but were under the impression they were buying the items from the GDF.
“These men are not criminals. They did not break into the Army camp and steal these things. The real culprit is the Captain,” Puran alleged.
The cases have been transferred to Christianburg Court, also in Linden, for February 1.