AFTER a successful raid on the Omai Landing, Region (8) area, the police on Thursday charged a 58-year-old businessman who was busted with an unlicensed shotgun and ammunition.Ferdinand Sehedde, of Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara appeared before Chief Magistrate and pleaded not guilty to the two firearms related charges.

Particulars of the first charge alleged that Sehedde on Wednesday, November 3, at Omai Landing, Cuyuni-Mazarun, Region Eight had an unlicensed 12 gauge shotgun in his possession for which he had no license.

Sehedde was also charged for having (3) 12 gauge shotgun cartridges, for which he also had no licence. The defendant’s lawyer, Mr. Stanley Moore, during a lengthy submission for his client pretrial liberty, raised the point that because of the high crime rate in the interior regions businessmen acquire firearm for protection purposes.

Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers in presenting the court facts explained that about 02:30h, police ranks acting on information swooped down on a shop at Omai Landing and conducted a search at Sehedde’s shop, during which the shotgun and three live cartridges were found.

Jeffers further pointed out that Sehedde under caution told the ranks, “Is a friend name Buddy leff it for me and I does use it for hunting.”

The prosecutor objected to the businessman being released on bail on the ground that the accused lawyer failed to raise any special reason for the granting of such.
The Chief Magistrate remanded Sehedde until January 17 and transferred the matter to Mahdia Magistrate’s Court.