Health Ministry staff nabbed with guns, ammo, millions in cash, remanded

Terrence Williams - Mew

An employee of the Ministry of Health, who was nabbed with two pistols, ammunition, and over $4.5 million in cash, was slapped with several charges and remanded to prison today.

22-year-old Terrence Williams of Farm, East Bank Demerara (EBD) was arraigned before Magistrate Sunil Scarce in the Diamond/Grove Magistrate's Court and pleaded not guilty to five charges.

He was charged with two counts of unlawful possession of firearms, two counts of illegal possession of ammunition, and bribery committed on a police officer for $1.7M.

Williams, a Storage Attendant of the MOH, was represented by Dexter Todd and Dexter Smartt.

The accused attorneys requested bail; however, prosecutor Hemchand Sukhnah objected based on the seriousness of the offences. As such, he was remanded to prison until April 28.

Reports are that police were called in to investigate a simple larceny report at the Ministry of Health’s Drug Bond located at Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Investigators contacted and interviewed several employees who were fingered in the alleged crime. They all denied involvement, and the police proceeded to search motorcar PAB 3032, reportedly owned by Williams.

Police found a duffel bag containing a 9mm Luger pistol without a magazine and two rounds of 9mm ammunition, a .380 pistol with a magazine containing seven matching rounds, 20 rounds of .380 ammunition, and a large quantity of cash.

The father of four and four other employees was taken to the Golden Grove Police Station, where they were kept in police custody for questioning.

During the questioning, Williams reportedly requested his duffel bag, and when it was handed to him, he withdrew $1.7M cash and offered it to the officers to drop the charges.

At this point, he was told of the new offence committed – Corrupt Transaction with Agent – cautioned in accordance with the Judge’s Rules.

It was revealed that a total of $4,580,000 cash was found in his possession, which included US$5,760.