Plumber Remanded To prison On Gun And Ammunition Charges

Cordel Baptist, 29, a plumber of 13 Fabers Road lost his freedom yesterday when he appeared in the #7 Magistrate’s Court and was arraigned on charges of kept firearm without a gun license and kept ammunition without a gun license. Baptist pleaded not guilty to the charges. Magistrate Ed usher explained to Baptist that the court cannot offer him bail because of the nature of the offenses an remanded Baptists into custody until September 30.

The incident occurred around 8:40 p.m. on Friday, August 27,2010. The police reported that they were on  mobile patrol on Kraal Road when they saw two men of dark complexion riding on bicycles coming towards them. They stopped their vehicle to search the men. One of them, whom they identified as Baptist, tried to run, said the police. One of the police officers reportedly grabbed Baptist’s left arm and

Baptist, according to the police  pulled something from the right side of his pants, which appeared to be a firearm with his free hand. The police officer who had Baptist’s arm held, reportedly reached for  his firearm and Baptist threw the object he had in his right hand over a zinc fence into a yard.

The police reported that when they searched the yard where the object was thrown they found a .380 pistol with 5 rounds of ammunition in its magazine. Baptist was asked by the police if he has a license for the firearm and when he could not produce any he was taken into custody and charged.

The second man was searched but nothing incriminating was found, so he was released.

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