The Guyana Police Force this morning confirmed that Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed, his driver and a third person are in police custody following a shooting incident involving Senior Superintendent of Police and Head of Special Branch, Prem Narine.
The incident occurred shortly before midnight on Monday outside Narine’s Barr Street, Kitty residence.
According to a police statement, Narine was at home when he saw a black Toyota Allion, registration number PXX 5300, travelling slowly along Barr Street. The car passed his home and returned a short while later.
Police said that as the vehicle approached the second time, Narine heard what appeared to be a gunshot. He took cover and fired several rounds from his service weapon in the direction of the car, which then drove away.
The car was later intercepted at the junction of Vlissengen Road and Sandy Babb Street, Kitty. Its three occupants were identified as Azruddin Mohamed, 39, of Houston, East Bank Demerara; Mario Mohamed, 25, of Timehri, East Bank Demerara; and Eugene Thorne, 35, a driver, also of Timehri.
Police said a search of the car, in the presence of the three men, turned up a .32 Taurus pistol with no serial number and three live .32 rounds. The men were arrested in connection with possession of a firearm and ammunition without a licence and taken to the Kitty Police Station.
One spent .32 shell was recovered on the southern side of Barr Street, obliquely opposite Narine’s home, along with four spent 9mm shells.
The firearm, ammunition and spent shells have been lodged for ballistic testing, and police say CCTV footage from the area will be reviewed.
Mohamed has denied any knowledge of the firearm and ammunition, which were reportedly found beneath the accelerator pedal, and said the weapon was planted.
He also denied any attempt to threaten or attack the officer, saying he and the two men were recording what they believed was a heavy police presence near Narine’s residence. Police have not yet responded to those claims.
Narine, the Police’s spy chief, has testified in Mohamed’s ongoing extradition case. On the witness stand, he accused Mohamed of having links to several murders and described him as a security threat. Mohamed has not been charged in connection with those allegations.
The three men remain in police custody as investigations continue.