A Barrackpore fish farmer, in whose home police allegedly found 12 guns and 2410 rounds of ammunition, will likely spend the Christmas holidays behind bars.
Nyron Goordial, 40, was denied bail when he appeared in the Siparia Magistrate’s Court yesterday charged with two offences - possession of the 12 guns and assorted ammunition.
Goordial was arrested on Wednesday after Sgt Victor, Cpl George, Sgt Ali, Cpl Singh and other officers of the South Western Task Force and Penal CID executed a search warrant at his Tranquillity Avenue, Jaipaulsingh Road home, where the arsenal was allegedly discovered. The firearms consisted of six pistols, four revolvers and two rifles. He was charged by Sgt Victor.
When the charges were read by Senior Magistrate Margaret Alert Goordial was not called upon to enter a plea. He remained seated on the bench during the proceedings because of an injury to his back.
In asking for bail, Goordial’s attorney Ravi Diptee said in 2014 he was forced to resign as a supervisor with a company after four years service because of the injury, noting he had to undergo surgery for the problem. Goordial, he said, owns a talapia farm, is divorced and has no children. However, Diptee said the accused cares for his parents as his sole sibling lives in the United States.
Goordial is also extremely involved in charity work in the community and was supposed to be hosting a Christmas children treat, the lawyer said.
Objecting to bail, however, prosecutor Sgt Starr Jacob said Goordial does not have sufficient ties to the country, as he has no children or wife and there was a risk of him absconding. She also objected because of the quantum of arms and ammunition.
Sharing the prosecutor’s concerns, the magistrate said she was not convinced that if granted bail he would not be persuaded to flee. After a description of the exhibits was recorded, the magistrate transferred the matter to the Princes Town Magistrate’s Court. The prosecutor told her he was not initially taken to that court because there were no magistrates.
Alert reminded him of his right to apply to a judge in chambers before adjourning the matter to December 27.