Franz Paul Granted Partial Bail in Gun and Drug Case

September 22 2025

Former Police officer Franz Paul, who is facing multiple firearm, ammunition, and narcotics charges, was on Friday granted partial bail when he reappeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Paul, 39, of Georgetown, is accused of having in his possession 2,267 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking, as well as a .22 pistol and two live rounds of ammunition without a firearm licence. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

When the matter was called on Friday, Paul was again represented by attorney Dominick Bess, who renewed an application for bail on behalf of his client.

Bess reminded the court that Paul maintains his innocence and argued that the charges against him remain unproven. He stressed that the narcotics allegedly seized from Paul are still “suspected” until official laboratory results confirm otherwise.

The prosecution, however, objected to bail once more, arguing that based on their information, both the narcotics and the firearm were found in Paul’s possession.

The prosecutor pointed out that while the drug test results are still outstanding, the gun was allegedly discovered on Paul’s person at the time of his arrest.

The court heard that the outstanding laboratory reports, particularly in relation to the suspected cannabis, could take some time to be completed.

After considering the submissions, Magistrate McGusty ruled that bail would be granted only in relation to the narcotics charge, citing the delay in receiving test results.

Paul was released on $300,000 bail for that charge.

However, the magistrate denied bail on the firearm and ammunition charges, noting the prosecution’s claim that the weapon was allegedly found in Paul’s pants pocket and therefore directly in his possession.

The matter was adjourned to October 10, when the court is expected to receive an update on the outstanding reports.

Paul was first arraigned on September 13, when he was remanded to prison after pleading not guilty to the charges.

His case has drawn renewed public attention due to his controversial past.

In 2014, Paul was accused of shooting teenager Alex Griffith in the mouth during a game of Russian roulette. That case was later discharged after he compensated the teen.

In 2018, he was interdicted from the Guyana Police Force and faced charges of unlawful firearm possession and threatening to kill his reputed wife, Rachael Carew, though he was never convicted.

For now, the former police cadet officer remains on remand for the firearm and ammunition charges, while on bail for the narcotics matter.