Taxi driver remanded on gun, ammo charges

A taxi driver was remanded to prison yesterday after he denied charges of firearm and ammunition possession.

Dexter Waithe, 36, of 3464 North Ruimveldt, was read two charges by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

The first charge read to the accused stated that on September 7, at Itaballi Police Checkpoint, Mazaruni River, he had a .32 revolver in his possession without being a licensed firearm holder. It is further alleged that on the same date and at the very location, he had five matching rounds of .32 ammunition without being a licensed firearm holder.

Dexter Waithe08

Bail was objected to by Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore, who told the court that Waithe had the weapon concealed in the bonnet of his vehicle. Moore noted that Waithe was the driver of the very vehicle and had sole control of it.

Waithe’s attorney told the court that his client was not the only person arrested for the offence, while noting that the others were also occupants of the vehicle. The attorney then went on to request reasonable bail for his client.

Despite the attorney’s request, Waithe was remanded to prison until October 12, when the matter will be called at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.