Latest update August 25th, 2026 10:17 AM
Accused in Berbice AK-47 bust granted $1 Million bail
(Kaieteur News) – Stephen Rajah, 33, who was remanded for his involvement in the AK-47s found in Berbice, has now been granted bail to the tune of $1 million.
Bail was successfully secured by Rajah’s attorney, Charandass Persaud at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court on Monday. This is Rajah’s second court appearance, his first being on May 28, 2026.
In his application for bail, Persaud pointed out that his client was not found with any gun in his possession, nor were any fingerprints of his found traceable to the weapons. The police, he suggested, seem to be “fishing,” adding that the ranks did not see Rajah stop and dump anything. The lawyer explained that his client was acting in his professional capacity as a taxi driver who was hired to deliver a package. He also argued that his client has a stable job and is not a flight-risk.
Steven Rajah, granted bail at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court
The prosecution maintained its objection to bail on several grounds established at the previous session, arguing that the accused was flight-risk, and also asked that the court consider the type of weapons involved in the matter. The prosecution, joined by Ms. Kooblall from the Police Legal Advisor’s Office, also highlighted an elaborate scheme between Rajah and others to smuggle weapons into Guyana.
At the commencement of the matter, Rajah was without legal representation. He nonetheless submitted a not guilty plea, and was remanded to prison late last month.
Though being granted bail on Monday, the prosecution requested that Rajah report to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters in Georgetown, which was without objection from his lawyer.
Reports confirmed that on May 22, 2026, 10 AK-47 rifles were found by police at No. 11 Village, East Bank Berbice. The weapons were wrapped in plastic and cloth.
Rajah, a taxi driver, was detained as part of a stop-and-search exercise conducted by ranks at the Berbice Bridge Access Road in Palmyra, but reportedly sped away from the ranks. He was subsequently nabbed at Nabaclis, East Coast Demerara and arrested.
He was formally charged with possession of firearms without license.
The Goed Fortuin Village, West Bank Demerara resident, is one of four men sought by the Guyana Police Force (GPF). He was the first suspect to be hauled in by police, as he was arrested on the same day of the discovery. Within weeks, police would have further success in the case, when two other men turned themselves over at the CID headquarters with their lawyer.
Wanted notices were published for 33-year-old Antonio Alonzo Lawrie, of Farm Village, East Bank Demerara, 21-year-old Gregory Persaud, and Ryan Singh called ‘Satan’, of Parika, East Bank Essequibo. Lawrie and Persaud are presently in custody, while Singh remains on the run.
As per the prosecution’s request, Magistrate Matthias ordered that he report to the CID every Friday at 9:00am pending the outcome of the matter. The matter continues on June 22, 2026.
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