Trinidadian faces five gun charges; denied bail

A Trinidadian man has been brought before the Magistrate’s Court on several counts of firearm-related charges.

Kelon Fortune, a resident of Lower Estate, is charged with one count of illegal possession of a firearm and four counts of illegal possession of a prohibited weapon.

The court heard that sometime in February, police officers observed a black Suzuki Vitara vehicle travelling on a lone unpaved road to an orange-coloured residence in Havers Estate. The court was informed there are no other residential buildings in proximity.

The prosecution said on March 1, the police secured a search warrant for the house and the occupant. And during the operation, the police reportedly recovered a pistol and four prohibited firearms bearing various serial numbers.

The court was informed that Fortune was arrested later that morning and transported to the West End Police Station. When he was arrested, the police allegedly recovered a key for the Havers residence from the vehicle.

The prosecution said that during an interview with police, the accused stated he visited the Havers residence to see his cousin who resided there.

He allegedly said his cousin gave him a motor jeep before he departed the territory sometime in February 2022. The court heard that Fortune told officers he visited the property and removed two dogs to go to the veterinarian to be groomed.

The prosecution said he denied knowledge of the firearms and he refused to give DNA samples of his fingerprints.