six in custody assisting with investigations

IN a meticulously executed intelligence-led operation early Wednesday morning, law enforcement authorities uncovered a significant arsenal of firearms and ammunition. The operation, conducted around 05:30 hrs, led to the seizure of 26 handguns and high-powered rifles, as well as a large quantity of ammunition. Six individuals were taken into custody and are currently assisting with the investigation.

The operation was spearheaded by a Superintendent, targeting Lot 25 Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, the residence of 47-year-old clothes vendor Eon Fagundes.
Upon arrival, officers observed Fagundes exiting a wooden house on the property with a side bag. A subsequent search of the bag revealed a Sig Sauer rifle with a magazine containing fourteen 9mm rounds, a Polimore-80 9mm pistol with a magazine holding eight 9mm rounds, a Spring Field Armory 45 pistol with four magazines, and a Bravo gun holster. Fagundes admitted he did not possess a firearm licence and was promptly arrested and informed of his offences.

Further investigation at the residence yielded no additional items of interest. However, attention shifted to a black Nissan Juke (Registration number PVV 6472) parked across from Fagundes’ house. Claiming the vehicle belonged to his daughter and his child’s mother, Fagundes provided the keys for a search, leading to the discovery of the following firearms and ammunition stored in a suitcase, a gulf bag, and a haversack: One AM 15 rifle with two magazines containing 61 .223 rounds; Two Ruger-57 9mm pistols with a magazine containing 40 rounds; One FN-45 pistol with two magazines containing 38 .45 rounds; One Smith and Wesson 9mm pistol with a magazine; One Beretta 9mm pistol with a magazine; One Springfield Hellcat 9mm pistol with a magazine; One Canik 9mm pistol with a magazine; One Glock 43 pistol with a magazine; Five Glock 19 pistols with nine magazines and 21 rounds; Seven Glock 40 pistols with ten magazines and 18 rounds; Two Glock 17 9mm pistols with two magazines; One Glock 9mm pistol with a magazine and one Glock 45 pistol with a magazine.

Additionally, the search yielded:75 12-gauge cartridges, 456 .223 rounds, 484 9mm rounds, 83 5.7-28 rounds, 13 10mm rounds, 315 7.62-39 rounds and 15 magazines.
Eon Fagundes was again informed of the offences and cautioned. The following individuals present at the residence during the operation were also arrested for questioning: Carol Fagundes, 66, mother of Eon; Devena Persaud, 22, unemployed niece of Eon; Theresa Fagundes, 49, unemployed sister of Eon; Tessa Persaud, 48, unemployed sister of Eon, and Clement Thornton, 48, handyman.

The Guyana Police Force noted that all seized firearms, ammunition, and magazines were transported to their Ballistic Section for examination, fuming, marking, sealing, and lodging. The motor vehicle was also secured as investigation remains ongoing.
In March 2021, Ricardo Fagundes, known as “Paper Shorts,” was fatally shot in an execution-style manner outside a well-known night spot on Main Street in Georgetown.
According to reports, the individual was socializing with a group of acquaintances at the bar. However, upon receiving a phone call, he left the establishment to answer it. Shortly thereafter, multiple gunshots were audible.