A 31-year-old North West District (NWD) man was on Wednesday charged with possession of unlicenced firearms and ammunition, as well as assault.
Orangel Antonio Castro Rodrigces, a labourer from Triangle Backdam, Baramita, NWD, appeared before Magistrate Ravindranauth Singh at the Port Kaituma Magistrates’ Court.
It is alleged that on February 26, 2025, Rodrigces unlawfully assaulted Yulismar Rodrigues, causing her actual bodily harm. The following day, he was allegedly found with a 12-gauge shotgun bearing serial number AV60664E and another gun with the serial number 10-05.
At the same time, he allegedly had in possession three 16-gauge rounds of live ammunition without holding a valid firearm licence.
Rodrigces pleaded not guilty to the charges. During the court proceedings, the prosecution indicated that the case file was incomplete. The defendant’s lawyer, Bernard Da Silva, who appeared virtually, requested bail.
He argued that the nature of the investigation and the infrequency of court sessions could lead to unnecessary and prolonged delays in the proceedings.
Da Silva said his client is not a flight risk and has three children and a wife. He also noted that the firearms and ammunition were not found on Rodrigces but rather hidden in bushes away from his camp in the Backdam.
Magistrate Singh subsequently granted bail in the amount of $150,000 for four of the gun charges. For the assault charge, Rodrigces was granted self-bail.
The conditions of his bail require that he report to the Baramita Police Station on the last Friday of every month. He is scheduled to make his next court appearance on June 10, 2025.
