Guns, bullets, bullet proof vests, masks, false plates found

Four charges have been laid, with the possibility of more to follow, as police investigations continue into Redemption Sharpes resident Alaskie “Beaver” Samuel, who on Wednesday appeared before Magistrate Rechanne Browne-Matthias at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court.

Samuel, 29, is charged with the possession of a Glock 17 pistol, serial number DXR955, {{more}}without a legal permit.

He is also charged with possession of a weapon with the intention of endangering life; possession of a weapon with the intention of the commission of an offence, and possession of 27 rounds of 9mm bullets.

He entered a not guilty plea on all the charges.

According to a usually reliable source, Samuel, also known as “Beaver,” was an occupant in a vehicle that was intercepted by police at Battery Hill, just outside Edinboro, on Monday, August 18, around 1:20 p.m.

According to the source, when approached, Samuel handed over the Glock, as well as a bulletproof vest to the police.

Masks, clothing, and a number of false license plates were also discovered in the vehicle, which is impounded at the Central Police Station in Kingstown, the source said.

Police are also said to have searched Samuel’s home, and according to the source, retrieved an Uzi submachine pistol, a shotgun, and over 70 bullets for various types of firearm.

They also found at the home bulletproof vests and masks.

The source told SEARCHLIGHT that Samuel is suspected of being involved in the spate of killings which have been taking place in St Vincent and the Grenadines over the last few months.

In court, prosecutor Collin John objected to bail, citing that investigations were ongoing, and that the police believed that if the accused was released, the witnesses would be interfered with, and the investigation process would be compromised.

Veteran lawyer Kay Bacchus Browne appeared on behalf of Samuel and indicated to the magistrate that she currently had no issues with the police request, since the individual willing to post bail for the accused was unavailable at the time.

Samuel is expected to return to court on August 27, 2014.

In 2013, Samuel was released from Her Majesty’s Prison after spending the majority of five years on remand.

The year before, he was sentenced to eight years in prison, after pleading guilty to a manslaughter charge levelled against him in the 2007 shooting death of 23-year-old Ishmael Byron of Campden Park, between April 29 and May 5 of 2006.

Byron’s body was found with a bullet in his back in the York Mountains in Campden Park.

Samuel, along with Carlo “Bondo” Free and Fitz-Allan “Wizzy” Bramble, were initially charged with Byron’s murder.(JJ)