Man in 10- AK-47 bust remanded

May 29, 2026 News

…breaks down in court, begs magistrate for mercy

(Kaieteur News) – A taxi driver who was fingered in the major firearms bust in Berbice was on Thursday remanded to prison after being charged with possession of firearm and ammunition without license.

Stephen Rajah, 33, of Goed Fortuin Village, West Bank Demerara, was remanded for the offense when he appeared virtually at the New Amsterdam Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Michelle Matthias.

Stephen Rajah

The charge read that on May 22, 2026, at No. 11 Village, East Coast Berbice, he had in his possession ten firearms (AK47 rifles) without being the holder of a firearm license in effect at the time.

Rajah, who was unrepresented, pleaded not guilty.

The prosecution, in seeking to deny bail, asked that the court consider the large quantity of firearms found, and also the type of firearms. Additionally, the prosecution pointed to the fact that Rajah attempted to evade the police, thereby confirming that he is flight-risk and might attempt to flee if granted bail.

Also highlighted by the prosecution was that the man was in league with other individuals to smuggle the firearms into Guyana. This coordinated activity can lead to the commissioning of further offenses, according to the prosecution. Lending to the prosecution’s effort in the case was Ms. Kooblall, of the Police Legal Advisor’s Office.

Magistrate Matthias offered the accused an opportunity to convince her of why he should be granted bail. The accused promptly implored that the court extend leniency to him, as this was his first time before any court.

“Madam, I’ve never been in the lockup before…. with all due respect, anything, Your Worship, that you ask me to relate in this situation, I will come forward. I’m begging for your release just to go home to get some sleep…. I’m begging you to just pardon me,” the accused expressed.

An emotional Rajah also told the magistrate that he was peer-pressured into the activity which landed him in front of her.

The magistrate advised that he can seek the services of an attorney to represent his interests in the matter, then proceeded to remand him to prison pending the outcome of the matter, which continues on June 15, 2026 at the same court.

Police in Region Six had reported that on May 22, 2026, a discovery of ten AK-47 rifles was made during an operation which was conducted along the No. 11 Village Public Road, East Coast Berbice.

A stop-and-search exercise was conducted by ranks during the operation along the Berbice River Bridge Access Road between 01:00hrs. and 04:30hrs., during which a Toyota Fielder Wagon motor car bearing registration number HC 9018 was stopped. Rajah allegedly drove away from the ranks and escaped eastward.

Ranks later made a search later along the No. 11 Village Public Road, using information receive. Subsequently, the AK-47 rifles were found wrapped in plastic and cloth.

The firearms were examined and bore markings consistent with 7.62x39mm rifles. It was also observed that sections of the firearms appeared to have been tampered with, suspected to have been done to obscure serial numbers.

The firearms were taken to the Central Police Station, where they were lodged pending further investigation.

Shortly after, Rajah was intercepted at Nabaclis, East Coast Demerara, with the said car, and taken into custody.

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Ak-47, remanded, Stephen Rajah

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