Bel Air couple arms trial
Razac said pistol was for any attack by 'Fineman' -Inspector -testifies that US$314,000 found under bathroom tiles
Stabroek News
March 9, 2007
A police inspector testifying in the trial of Swiss House boss, Farouk Razac and his beauty queen wife said that during the raid at the businessman's house, Razac said that he was keeping the weapon that was found to combat wanted man Rondell 'Fineman' Rawlins if he should attack.
Rawlins is one of the notorious wanted men on the run.
Razac and Carolan Lynch are on trial for unlawfully having in their possession four 9 mm magazines, one Beretta automatic pistol and 120 rounds of 9 mm ammunition at their Ireng Place, Bel Air home on November 10 last year.
The trial began yesterday before Magistrate Gordon Gilhuys at the Georgetown Magistrate's Court. Police prosecutor Robert Tyndall first called Inspector of Police Dexter Thornton who testified to finding a Beretta pistol along with ammunition and large amounts of US currency in bags under the tiles in the couple's bathroom.
Thornton stated that after receiving certain information he headed a party of policemen on November 10 at 6.45 am and went to the home of Razac and Lynch. He stated that he discovered the items in Razac's bathroom, told him of the offence committed and cautioned him. The Swiss House boss then told him "I can deal with you, is 'Fineman' Rawlins I keeping this fuh when he attack me."
He stated that at this point he stopped Razac from saying anything further and asked him if he wished to put into writing what he had just said but Razac refused. He added that he or no one in his presence made use of any threats to Razac when he made the remarks.
Relating how the weapon was found, Thornton said he and Sergeant 15467 Anthony, accompanied by Razac, went to the north western bathroom situated in the couple's bottom flat where he observed a 6 ft bathtub which was 2½ ft from the floor. The tub, he said, was located north to south. He looked at the tub and saw similar coloured tiles, some of which appeared loose, on the southern side of the tub towards the wall. He said he also observed that the tiles had no thin set cement between the grooves. He then asked the Sergeant to assist him with a knife and Lynch handed it to him. He used the knife to lift the tiles and he saw a black and brown haversack in a space measuring approximately 1 ft between the bath tub and the southern wall. Within that space Thornton told the court, about a depth of 2 ½ feet from the floor level he also saw two small gift bags containing a quantity of US currency. He then opened the haversack in the presence of Razac and he saw a Beretta pistol fitted with a 9 mm magazine along with three other magazines containing 9 mm ammunition. He then removed the magazine from the Beretta pistol for safety reasons and he further observed that the magazine contained 9 mm ammunition. He also removed the ammunition from each magazine and found that each of the magazines contained thirty 9 mm ammunition making the total 120 rounds. He said that he also told Razac that he suspected that the two bags containing US currency were the proceeds from the sale of narcotics. Thereafter he cautioned him again and he remained silent.
He then took possession of the weapon, ammunition and US currency and he along with Razac exited the bathroom. He met Lynch in the kitchen and he told her that she along with Razac had the items found in their possession. She, he said, remained silent. They were then arrested and escorted to the narcotics branch of CID Headquarters. At the narcotics branch the ammunition was counted and the weapon and ammunition were parcelled off separately and sealed with a police seal in the presence of both defendants. The US currency when counted amounted to US$314,117. He then lodged the envelope containing the currency with the officer in charge of the finance department for safe keeping. The weapon and ammunition were lodged with the officer in charge of the Tactical Services Unit. On November 11 he took the weapon and ammunition to the police ballistics department and handed it over to another Sergeant.
Thornton was continuing with his testimony when he was interrupted by defence counsel Nigel Hughes who stated that they had no statements for this part of the evidence being given. The prosecutor also said he had no additional statement. Tyndall then made an application for leave to file additional statements. Hughes did not object but said that the preparations could have been more thorough.
Earlier in his testimony Thornton had stated that when he arrived at the couple's home he called out to Razac who subsequently came to him. Thornton said he introduced himself and the party of policemen and told Razac that he was in receipt of information that he had firearms and ammunition in his possession, house or outhouse and he then cautioned him. He said that Razac replied "I don't have any guns." He then told Razac that he wanted to search his home, outhouse and person and Razac invited him, Sergeant Anthony and two other ranks into the house. He went into the home and saw Lynch in the kitchen and they proceeded to the upper flat where in Razac's master bedroom he observed a closed circuit television monitor that was on and when he looked on the screen he saw the police ranks in and outside the couple's yard. He then searched the upper flat but found nothing of evidential value. They then proceeded to the lower flat and that's when they reportedly found the weapon, ammunition and currency in the bathroom.
Additional statements have to be filed as it relates to the witness and the case continues today.
The Swiss House Cambio boss and Lynch who is the reigning Mrs South America were arrested after police conducted raids on their home. When Razac first appeared in court he was granted $1 million bail while his wife who appeared a day after him was first refused bail but subsequently placed on $500,000 bail in the High Court. The charges were first read indictably but were later taken summarily.