Guyana: Second Venezuelan Charged in AK-47s Bust

A second Venezuelan man has been charged and remanded to prison in connection with the seizure of 23 AK-47 assault rifles earlier this month, according to police reports. The individual, identified as 54-year-old Juan Felipe Gonzales from the Tuschen Housing Scheme in East Bank Essequibo, faces charges of Conspiracy to Commit a Felony, as outlined in Section 33 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01.

The Guyana Police Force stated that the charges stem from an investigation into the alleged possession of firearms and ammunition without a license. This incident reportedly took place on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at Schoonard, West Bank Demerara. Gonzales was arrested on Thursday, June 18, 2026, and subsequently charged on Monday, June 22, 2026.

During his appearance before Magistrate Rhondell Weaver at the Wales Magistrate’s Court, the charge was presented to him, and he was not required to enter a plea. Bail was denied, leading to his remand in custody. The case has been adjourned until July 14, 2026, for further report.

Prior to Gonzales’s arrest, another individual, 27-year-old Jonathan David Gans, a construction worker from Great Diamond, East Bank Demerara, had already been charged with possession of a firearm without a license and possession of ammunition without a license. Gans was apprehended on June 11, 2026, in connection with the same investigation at Schoonard, West Bank Demerara.

The operation that led to the seizure of the 23 assault rifles and over 500 rounds of matching ammunition was conducted jointly by the police and the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit.

Source: demerarawaves.com