When the hearing resumed yesterday afternoon at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court before Principal Magistrate Jerrick Stephney, the Police Prosecutor, Corporal Edmond Cooper, asked the court for an adjournment in order to produce Major Warde, who, he had learnt,was participating in a local training course.

In response, Khan’s attorney, Glen Hanoman, urged the magistrate to direct the prosecution to close its case, given that the hearing was being unnecessarily prolonged due to the Major’s continued absence. His sentiments were echoed by attorney Vic Puran who is representing Belfield.

The magistrate, although considering that Warde’s absence gave the indication that he had no intention of attending the hearing, articulated his aversion to directing the prosecution to close its case.

He, however, warned that the court was not prepared to wait for Major Warde forever and he set tomorrow as the date for continuation. He further instructed the defence attorneys to attend the hearing with their submissions, to ensure that the hearing would not be wasted.

But attorney Nigel Hughes, representing Yahya, said that in view of the fact that no evidence had been led against his client, submissions on his behalf were unnecessary.

Khan, Belfield and Yahya were reportedly intercepted by a Guyana Defence Force patrol at Good Hope on December 4. They are jointly charged for the unlawful possession of firearms and the unlawful possession of ammunition.

According to the particulars of the charges, they were found in possession of two M-15 rifles with a quantity of matching live rounds of ammunition and two 9 mm pistols with a quantity of matching live rounds. Belfield, who is a constable attached to the Anti-Crime Task Force unit of the Guyana Police Force, is also separately charged with two summary offences, being in unlawful possession of a .40 Glock pistol and 10 matching rounds of ammunition.