A 36-year-old Georgetown gold miner who was remanded to prison last month after allegedly being found with an unlicensed firearm and ammunition in West Coast Berbice has been granted $200,000 bail after his attorney raised concerns about delays in the prosecution’s case.
Dayne Barker, of Lot 58 Lane Avenue, Georgetown, was granted bail by Magistrate Shareefah Parks during his latest appearance at the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court, despite continued objections from the prosecution.
Barker is facing charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition following an October 14, 2026, police operation in Berbice.
His attorney, Bernard DaSilva, confirmed that he renewed his application for bail, arguing that his client’s continued incarceration was unjustified, particularly given the uncertainty surrounding the prosecution’s readiness to proceed with the case.
According to DaSilva, the prosecution was not in possession of its case file, and there was no indication of when disclosure of the evidence would be made available to the defence.
The attorney also submitted that there was no certainty about when a trial date could be fixed, raising the likelihood of prolonged delays in the proceedings.
He argued that keeping Barker behind bars under those circumstances would be unfair and amount to punishment before a determination of guilt.
DaSilva maintained that the court should consider the potential length of the proceedings and the impact of continued detention on his client, who has pleaded not guilty to both charges.
After hearing the submissions, Magistrate Parks granted Barker bail in the sum of $200,000, subject to reporting conditions. As part of those conditions, Barker must report to the Ruimveldt Police Station every Friday until the hearing and determination of his case.
The matter has been adjourned to November 18, 2026, for a report. Barker was initially remanded to prison following his first court appearance at the Weldaad Magistrate’s Court in October.
The charges stem from a police operation conducted at approximately 10:50 p.m. on October 14 in front of the Fort Wellington Police Station.
According to the Guyana Police Force, ranks stopped a white Toyota Axio, bearing registration number HD 6296, and conducted searches of the vehicle and its occupants.
Police alleged that while nothing illegal was discovered during the initial search of the vehicle and driver, a subsequent search of Barker, who was travelling as a passenger, uncovered a Zoraki .380 pistol and five matching rounds of ammunition concealed in his trousers.
Investigators said Barker was unable to produce a valid firearm licence and was subsequently arrested and charged.
