FORMER Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) officer Roberto Cosburg was refused bail for possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition on Friday when the 30-year-old businessman of Lot 117 Third Street, Alberttown, Georgetown appeared in Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry’s court.Cosburg pleaded not guilty to both charges, one of which said that on Wednesday, April 9, at Durban and Princes streets in Georgetown, he had in his possession one silver coloured Smith and Western semi-automatic pistol without being the holder of a firearm licence. 

The other charge said that on the same day, at Durban and Princes streets, Georgetown, he also had in his possession eleven live rounds of ammunition.

Police Inspector Michael Grant, prosecuting, said that on the day in question, at around 18:15 hrs, the defendant was observed in a yard at Durban and Princes Streets behaving in a suspicious manner.

A rank saw Cosburg throwing something in a nearby trench, and the officer followed him and found the said weapon in the trench.

Cosburg’s attorney-at-law Mr. Gordon Gilhuys said his client denied any knowledge of having any weapon. He said the accused was playing dominoes and there were several persons who could testify in the matter.

However, the Chief Magistrate informed Mr Gilhuys that, in the statements, his client was seen throwing an object in the trench. Upon checking, the rank observed bubbles and pushed his hand in the trench and retrieved the weapon.

Bail was refused since the defence had advanced no special reason to justify bail being granted. The case was put off to April 28.
AROUND THE COURTS With Geeta Rampersaud