A VENEZUELAN national has been sentenced to one year and six months in prison after pleading guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm without a licence.
Luis Eduardo Lepaje Chacon, 26, a labourer of Prospect, East Bank Demerara, appeared before Magistrate Dylon Bess at the Diamond Magistrate’s’ Court on Monday, June 15, 2026.
The charge of Unlawful Possession of Firearm Without Licence, contrary to Section 16(2)(a) of the Firearms Act, was read to him in English and translated into Spanish.
Chacon pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment.
The charge stemmed from an investigation launched on June 11 after police received information that a man had entered a business place and was later seen with what appeared to be a firearm.
Acting on the report, ranks went to the Prospect Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, where they contacted Chacon.
Further investigations led police to a construction site in the area, where a search uncovered a black pistol with an empty magazine concealed at the location.
Several cellular phones and a Rambo-type knife were also recovered during the operation.
The firearm and other items were lodged as part of the investigation, which subsequently led to charges being instituted against Chacon.