NINETEEN-year-old Jaden Jaleel Ettienne of Amelia’s Ward, Linden, has been remanded to prison after being charged with possession of a firearm without a licence.

Ettienne appeared before Magistrate Omadatt Chandan at the Lethem Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, where the charge, laid under Section 16(2)(a) of the Firearms Act, Chapter 16:05, was read to him.

He pleaded not guilty and was remanded to prison until July 13, 2026.

The charge stems from an intelligence-led police operation conducted on Monday at Hiawa Access Road, Central Rupununi on Monday.

Police said ranks, acting on information received, went to a ranch in the area, where three men were contacted and searched.

During the operation, officers searched a hammock in which Ettienne was lying and allegedly discovered a Glock 26 9mm pistol along with an empty magazine.

He was subsequently arrested and escorted to the Lethem Police Station along with the firearm, which was lodged.