Two Venezuelan nationals , who are suspected to be members of the feared ‘Sindicato’ gang and who were busted on a boat with grenades in their possession, were on Monday placed before the Georgetown Magistrates Court and charged.

Luis Gonsalves and Daniel Contreras, who are both 27-years old, were separately charged when placed before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus.

The separate charges alleged that the duo each had a live grenade in their possession on January 17,2019 at Mode Hill, Cuyuni River without being holders of firearm licences.

The duo, through the aid of a interpreter pleaded guilty to the charges and told the court that a “big one” on the boat gave them the grenades and ordered them to put the objects in their pants crotch.

The men added that if they failed to comply with the instruction the “big one” threatened to hurt their families.The Magistrate entered a not guilty plea on their behalf.

Police Prosecutor Corporal Quinn Harris told the court that on the day in question ranks from the Joint Service were on patrol along the Cuyuni River when they saw a boat with several passengers.

The vessel was contacted and was searched. During a pat down Gonsalves and Contreras were each found with a grenade stashed inside their pants crotch.

The prosecutor added that Gonsalves is the second-in-command of the ‘Sindicato’ gang and Contreras is a senior member of the group.

After listening to the prosecution’s case, the magistrate remanded the duo to prison until March 18,2019 and transferred the matter to the Kamarang Magistrates Court.