Trial of cop accused of smuggling gun from TSU...Investigator trailed car driven by civilian for hours

Trial of cop accused of smuggling gun from TSU…Investigator trailed car driven by civilian for hours

Jul 08, 2017 News

Police Sergeant Richard Ramotar testified that a car driven by William Stanislaus, who was implicated in the alleged smuggling of an AK 47 rifle out of the Tactical Services Unit Headquarters (TSU), was under surveillance for

Corporal Shavon Marks

two hours.
Sergeant Ramotar, who is attached to the Special Branch Headquarters, was called to testify on Tuesday when the trial of Police Corporal Shavon Marks continued before Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Corporal Marks, 36, of Rose Hall, Corentyne, Berbice, has pleaded not guilty to illegal firearm and ammunition charges after he was allegedly caught attempting to facilitate the smuggling of the high-powered firearm out of TSU headquarters on February 28.
It is alleged that on February 28, he had the rifle and 40 rounds of ammunition in his possession when he was not the holder of a firearm licence.
He is currently out on bail.
The police rank is being represented by Attorneys-at-Law Patrice Henry, Stanley Moore and Dexter Todd.
According to court facts, police received information that Corporal Marks was planning to sell the AK 47 rifle. Ranks set up a sting operation during which Corporal Marks was seen handing over the rifle to an individual at TSU compound. The individual was seen placing the gun into a car which was later driven out of the compound. But the car was intercepted by police and during a search the rifle, along with the ammunition, was found. The individual who was driving the car told police that Corporal Marks gave him the gun to sell.
During Sergeant Ramotar’s testimony, he told the court Inspector Narine had showed him Stanislaus and also provided him with a description of the man.
He said that from 18:00hrs to 20:00hrs on February 28, he trailed motor car PNN 575 that was driven by Stanislaus.
Sergeant Ramotar recounted that around 18:00hrs he received information from Inspector Narine and went in an unmarked police car between Rupert Craig Highway and Conversation Tree. He said that about an hour later he observed a white and silver motor car, driven by Stanislaus
Sergeant Ramotar recounted that as soon as the traffic light turned green, the car being driven by Stanislaus drove off in a western direction and he followed it.
The police rank stated that he informed Inspector Narine via radio set while the vehicle driven by Stanislaus proceeded to Carmichael Street, Georgetown, and parked on the western carriageway in the vicinity of the Woodlands Hospital.
“I stopped in the vicinity and maintained surveillance of the vehicle and the driver. I maintained communication with Inspector Narine via radio set,” Sergeant Ramotar recounted.
The witness added that about 19:40 hrs, the car driven by Stanislaus drove off in a northern direction towards Lamaha Street, Georgetown.
“I followed the said vehicle and I observed the vehicle drove north from Lamaha Street (Georgetown) into Parade Street (Georgetown). The vehicle then drove to Young Street (Georgetown) and turned west into Young Street. And I stopped in the vicinity of TSU Headquarters and the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital.”
At about 20:00hrs, the police witness said that he received further information from Inspector Narine via radio set and observed the vehicle driven by Stanislaus drive past, heading in a southern direction along Young Street, Georgetown.
According to Sergeant Ramotar, the car that Stanislaus was driving turned west into Lamaha Street and south into Carmichael Street into the western carriageway in the vicinity of the Woodlands Hospital.
Sergeant Ramotar recalled that the car stopped in the vicinity of the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital and Stanislaus went into the trunk of the vehicle and took out a pinkish object and placed it in the back seat of the car. The police rank stated that he informed Inspector Narine of his observation via radio set and other police ranks drove up and intercepted the vehicle.
This trial continues on July 11.