Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jul 22, 2014 News
– granted $350,000 bail
An East Coast Demerara businessman who was labeled a major smuggler by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) was yesterday released on $350,000 bail by Magistrate Sueanna Lovell when he appeared before her charged with Discharging a Loaded Firearm with Intent.
Harilall Motielall, 53, popularly called Jinga Harry, is accused of shooting at GRA officers last Wednesday night when they intercepted a convoy of minibuses loaded with illegally imported chicken at Dundee, Mahaicony.
It is alleged that Motielall and others, using an AK-47 and other small arms, opened fire on the Customs officers, injuring one of them.
Police prosecutor, Corporal Sheril Graham had objected to bail on the grounds that the offence was very serious in nature.
She told the court that the GRA officers who were conducting a surveillance exercise based on intelligence received, had intercepted three mini buses containing 150 boxes of chicken for which no customs papers could be produced,
The prosecution’s facts are that the officers had taken possession of the keys for the vehicles and the cell phones of the occupants were seized when Motielall himself and three accomplices pulled up in a grey Toyota Allion motor car.
The men exited and opened fire in the direction of the GRA officials.
The officers were forced to retreat and take cover, while the men who were detained with the smuggled chicken escaped in several waiting motor vehicles.
When the dust settled, the motor vehicle used by the GRA officials to conduct the exercise was badly riddled with bullets,
In the process, one of the GRA officers was wounded in his stomach and had to receive treatment at a city hospital.
Also, during the 10-minute barrage, a resident Yogeshwar Singh was grazed by a bullet as he peered through his window to see what was taking place.
Motielall was subsequently arrested and was positively identified by the GRA officials.
In court yesterday, Motielall’s Attorney Kim Kyte John, arguing for his pre trial liberty stated that her client was not charged with illegal possession of a firearm. In fact, except for spent shells recovered at the scene of the shootout and the statement from witnesses, the police have not found any weapons that were allegedly used. The Attorney assured the court that her client is not a flight risk and he would return to court to stand trial.
Magistrate Lovell accepted her argument and set bail in the sum mentioned. She ordered that Motielall surrender his passport to the authorities.
The matter was adjourned to September 1.
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