Two men have been charged in connection with the missing Galil Assault Rifle and one magazine. The firearm was reported missing from the Pioneer Department of the Teteron Army Barracks, Chaguaramas, last Sunday (June 4, 2023).
On Saturday, the lead investigator and team had a meeting with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Roger Gaspard SC, who advised that Private Renaldo Wanza, 22, be charged with two counts of Misbehaviour in Public Office; one count to wit the Larceny of the Galil Assault Rifle and the other count to wit the subsequent Transfer of same; Possession of a Prohibited Weapon; and Possession of Ammunition.
The DPP also advised that Brandon Moonsammy, 30, of Macoya Settlement, Tunapuna, be charged jointly with Private Wanza for Misbehaviour in Public Office to wit Transferring a Firearm and Receiving the Galil Assault Rifle knowing same to be stolen.
According to police investigators, the Western Division Criminal Investigations Department and officers of the Western Division Gang and Intelligence Unit obtained information that led them last Friday around 1:00 pm, to Golf Course Road, Chaguaramas, in the vicinity of Bellerand Recreational Park.
There, the team of police officers found one black coloured Galil Assault Rifle and one magazine containing four rounds of 5.56 ammunition in a black garbage bag, located at the side of a concrete structure.
The Western Division Crime Scene Unit was called, and the rifle and ammunition were secured. Upon examination of the firearm, it was found to be the Galil Assault Rifle which had been reported missing.