Two men arrested with three guns and 31 rounds of ammunition have been fined $30,000 each on arms and ammunition charges although they claimed they had the weapons for their own protection.
Rudolph Rambaran, 63, of La Romaine, who owns a chemical business-based in Piparo, and his work colleague Vijai Boodoo, 55, of Gasparillo, a chemical engineer and farmer, both pleaded guilty to the charges of possession guns and ammunition.
The charges stemmed from an incident last Friday in which another man, age 27, allegedly pulled a gun on the police and was shot in his leg. Doctors at the San Fernando General Hospital amputated his leg.
Yesterday Princes Town Senior Magistrate Indira Misir-Gosine issued a warrant for his arrest and the suspect will be charged after he is released from the hospital. His matter was adjourned to September 22.
Prosecutor Ramdath Phillip said the police received information about suspicious activity at Dindial Road and met the accused standing on the side of the road and searched them. Another man who was with them escaped. Upon searching the car, the police found three guns, including Taurus revolver, Glock 17, 12-gauge shotgun, six rounds of 12-gauge ammunition and 25 rounds 9mm ammunition. They were charged by Sgt Ramlogan.
Attorney Shaun Teekasingh said both men were directly affected by crime and had the guns for their protection. He said Rambaran was robbed eight times in the past, including once when he was home with his wife. He said Rambaran’s adopted son Delinjah “Ninja” John, a caretaker, was murdered earlier this year.
Teekasingh said the suspects had boasted about killing John and also threatened to kill Rambaran. As a result, he said, Rambaran hired protection and also had the guns for his protection.
Teekasingh said his client could not wait to get a firearm user’s licence because he was fearful for his life. He said Rambaran and his wife were planning to migrate because they have been victims of crime for too often. The police confirmed that their only past dealings with Rambaran was when his son was murdered.
Teekasingh said Boodoo’s son and car were shot at two years ago and he hired armed protection. The prosecutor confirmed the men were first-time offenders but he asked the court to consider the prevalence and serious nature of the offences. They were each fined $15,000 on each charge. The men were ordered to pay the fines in two weeks or serve 18 months in jail.