Businessman Granted $700,000 Bail Following Firearm and Ammunition Discovery
Weston Pickering, a 42-year-old businessman and father of four, was granted bail after police reportedly discovered an AK-47 assault rifle and several rounds of ammunition at his residence.
Pickering, who claims to live at Vryheid’s Lust on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD), appeared before Magistrate Dylon Bess at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Court to face charges of possession of a firearm and ammunition without a license.
Represented by Attorney-at-Law Bernard Da Silva, Pickering was granted bail in the sum of $700,000 on Wednesday. His case is scheduled to be heard again on September 4, 2024.
According to the Guyana Police Force (GPF), on August 11, 2024, around 6:25 PM, officers from the Providence Police Station conducted an intelligence-led operation at Pickering’s residence located at Lot 2 Somerset Court Housing Scheme, Herstelling, East Bank Demerara (EBD).
The property, a two-storey building within a well-fenced yard, was searched with Pickering’s consent as police aimed to locate arms, ammunition, and drugs.
During the search, authorities reportedly found an AK-47 rifle wrapped in a brown towel inside a washing machine on the lower floor of the property. When questioned, Pickering admitted he did not have a firearm license and remained silent when cautioned about the charges.
In addition to the firearm, police allegedly discovered 29 live rounds inside a magazine and another 30 live rounds inside a pair of black and white socks wrapped in the towel.
Six live 9mm rounds were also found in a bedroom on the upper floor of the house. Further investigation led to the discovery of a significant amount of foreign and local currency. The firearm, ammunition, and money were seized and transported to the Providence Police Station, where the cash was counted in Pickering’s presence, marked, and sealed.
Magistrate Bess agreed with Pickering’s attorney that there were “special circumstances” justifying bail in this gun-related case. Attorney Da Silva argued that Pickering rents the Herstelling property and further sublets it as an Airbnb, while he himself resides permanently at the ECD address.
