A PENSIONER and his two sons facing unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition charges were yesterday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry. Businessman Oswald Dass, 66, Mechanic Ivan Dass, 33, and farmer Oswald Dass, 21, all of Lot 51Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke-Linden Highway, denied the charges when they were read to them.

Particulars of the first charge said on Wednesday, February 18 at Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke-Linden Highway, they had in their possession one 9 mm pistol when they were not holders of firearm licences.
It is also alleged that on the same day at Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke/Linden Highway, they had in their possession one 12-gauge shotgun, when they were not holders of firearm licences.
In addition to that, on the same day at Kuru Kururu, they had in their possession, three rounds of 20-gauge cartridges.
Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru told the court that acting on information, ranks from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) set up a sting operation. Ranks made contact with the number one defendant (Dass, Snr) and approached him with marked Guyana currency to purchase firearms and ammunitions.
The money was handed over to Oswald Dass and he returned with the number two defendant (Ivan Dass) with the alleged firearm and ammunition.
However, further information received led to the number three defendant (Oswald Dass, Jnr). A search was carried out on his person and $220,000 marked Guyana currency was found in his possession.
Prosecutor Mangru successfully opposed bail on the grounds of the seriousness, prevalence of the offence and the fact that in order for bail to be granted, special reasons must be advanced by the defence.
Representing the trio was attorney-at-law Mr. Asa Stuart Shepherd in association with Mr. Nigel Hughes. In a bail application, Staurt told the court that his clients denied having any knowledge or possession of firearm and ammunition. He explained that the money was owned to the trio by the individual, which was handed over in a package. He added that they did not check the contents of the package which they received, since they are businessmen and had no reason to.
Defence counsel informed the court that Dass Snr had a possession of narcotics charged against him which was dismissed 15 years ago, while his other clients do not have any antecedents against them. He added that Dass Snr is married with 11 children.
Bail was refused for all three defendants and the matter was transferred to the Providence Court for February 24.

(By Geeta Rampersaud)