HEAD of the Guyana Defence Force Brigadier Mark Phillips confirmed yesterday that the army is assisting with investigations into Saturday’s arms and ammunition find.The items, comprising several grenades and a small quantity of live ammunition among other paraphernalia, were reportedly found in a partly submerged box near the Lamaha Canal on Sheriff Street, just behind the Botanical Gardens.

Phillips told the Guyana Chronicle that the GDF is supporting the Guyana Police Force in its investigations to determine how the items ended up there.
He, however, said it is too early to say whether the items belong to the GDF, since there is no clear evidence of this. That can only be determined, he said, when the army completes an inventory check, which has already commenced.
The items found included 11 fragmentation grenades, four concussion grenades, seven 9mm rounds, two blank concussion grenades, one firearm cleaning kit and an officer’s badge of rank.
The grenades found are said to be ones used in combat, according to a senior member of the armed forces. It was also pointed out that based on the condition of the items, they might have been there for some time.
On Saturday, a vigilant city constable on the lookout for garbage dumping,spotted the box partly submerged on the northern edge of the Lamaha Canal.
The discovery was made just a few days before the government’s extended gun-amnesty programme comes to an end.