Firearms seized in Sophia and Lusignan, suspects in custody

Police have seized eight firearms and two rounds of ammunition during an intelligence-led operation on Tuesday, taking several suspects into custody, authorities said.
The operation, conducted around 16:30hrs at multiple locations including a supermarket and a shopping mall in Sophia, Greater Georgetown, and a supermarket in Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, involved security guards employed by a private security service.
At one Sophia supermarket, a 31-year-old guard was found with an airsoft rifle without a permit. At a shopping mall in Sophia, a 34-year-old guard was found with a 12-gauge shotgun containing two live cartridges; police said the serial number had been filed off and no licence or precept was produced.
In Lusignan, a 38-year-old guard on duty at a supermarket was found with an airsoft rifle issued at the start of his shift.
Police also searched the vehicle of the supervisor and owner of the security service, a 40-year-old man from Industry, East Coast Demerara, recovering five additional airsoft firearms—three pistols and two rifles—without permits or licences.
All firearms and ammunition were processed and lodged pending further investigation. Investigations are ongoing.