A TRIO slapped with unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition charges were on Friday refused bail by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry. Father of two, Ivan Johannis (no address given); father of three, Nirroin Bissoondayal, 44, of Lot 43 West Coast Berbice; and Arjune Niranjan, 52, ( no address given) all pleaded not guilty to the joint charge. It is alleged that on February 10 at Waraputu Backdam, they had in their possession one 12-gauge shotgun when none of them were licensed firearm holders.

Additionally, Johannis and Bissoondayal denied another joint charge that was read to them. Particulars of that charge said that on the same day, at Waraputu Backdam, both of them had in their possession four 12-gauge cartridges without being the holders of firearm licences.
It is also alleged that on the same day, at Waraputu Backdam, Bissoondayal was charged for having in his possession four 12- gauge cartridges without being the holder of a firearm licence.
Representing the trio was attorney-at-law Mr. Jerome Khan,who requested reasonable bail after stating that his clients are workers of a logging camp, and have been there over three weeks.
Defence counsel told the court that Johannis is the captain and that the gun is used for protection, since the three men are exposed to the wild.
Police Inspector Michael Grant, prosecuting, said that on the day in question around 13:00hrs, the police were on patrol when they stopped and carried out a search on Bissoondayal. The court heard that at the time he was wearing a black coat which had four 12- gauge cartridges in the pocket. Subsequently, he was arrested and taken to the Mahdia Police Station.
Grant said later, around 14:00hrs,the police were still on patrol when they saw Johannis coming out of a boat with a 12- gauge shotgun in hand. The police confronted him and enquired whether he was a licensed firearm holder and he responded in the negative. After questioning at the station, both of them were taken to the camp site and a further search revealed another four 12- gauge cartridges.
After Niranjan was made aware of what had transpired, he went to the Mahdia Police station and told the police he had bought the gun in Suriname.
The police prosecutor opposed bail on the grounds of the nature and gravity of the offence and the penalty attached. He further objected to bail on the basis of the prevalence of the offence and fact that no special reasons were given by the defence.
The prosecution’s objection was upheld and the matter was transferred to the Mahdia Court for April 20.