A BRAZILIAN national was on Tuesday refused bail when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, charged with unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition.

It is alleged that on March 19, at Eyelash Backdam, Port Kaituma, North West District (NWD), Sebastiad DeOlivera Moura had a 9mm pistol and twelve live rounds of matching ammunition when he was not a licensed firearm holder.

With the help of an interpreter, the defendant pleaded not guilty. Defence lawyer Rahamat explained to the court that her client has operated a shop in the Port Kaituma area for the past six years and has a $20M business operation in Guyana. She further pointed out that because of his strong financial ties to this country, Moura did not pose a flight risk.

According to the lawyer, on the day in question, police went to her client’s shop and conducted a search. “The gun and the ammunition were found on a counter top, and not in Moura’s possession,” Rahamat said as she told the court that multiple persons would enter the shop.

The prosecutor told the court that Moura speaks fluent English, and even admitted to police that he was the owner of the gun. He contended that the defendant was only tricking the court.

Moura was remanded to prison until May 2. He will make his next appearance at the Matthews Ridge Magistrate’s Court.