RAPHAEL Samuels, a 29-year-old taxi driver, is in police custody, after an air gun and a revolver were allegedly found in his bedroom, during a police operation.

According to a press release, at about 06:00 hours, police officers and about 20 ranks, in six vehicles, acted on information received and proceeded to Lot 161 Area ‘G’ Strathspey, East-Coast-Demerara.

On arrival at the address, the ranks observed a two-storey concrete building in a well-fenced yard. The ranks gained entry to the yard through an open southern gate, made contact with the occupant, identified themselves as police officers, and told the occupants they would like to conduct a search of the building and their personal belongings, to which they complied.

“A search in the bedroom of one of the occupants, Raphael Samuels, a 29-year-old taxi driver, unearthed a black metal object suspected to be an Air Gun wrapped in a yellow pillowcase. In addition, a second metal object suspected to be a firearm was found in a black plastic bag on a wooden vanity in the room. Samuels was asked to produce a firearm licence which he said he did not have. He was immediately told of the offence, cautioned and arrested,” the police said in the release.

The ranks escorted Samuels and two other occupants of the house, along with the suspected air gun and firearm, to the Vigilance Police Station.

On arrival at the station, the suspected firearm was inspected in the presence of Samuels, and it was observed to be a .38 Taurus Revolver without ammunition.

The firearm was placed in an evidence box, marked, sealed and lodged.

The suspect was placed into police custody and is slated to be charged, according to the release.