Lost in translation; businessman busted for his own weapon

Thirty-eight year old Chao Gui Cao, a prominent businessman of the Hattieville area, was arraigned today in court for the possession of a nine millimeter firearm and live ammunition which were found on him at the four miles checkpoint on the George Price Highway on Saturday night. In the presence of his attorney, Anthony Sylvester, and a translator, Cao was read two criminal offenses for kept firearm and kept ammunition, but within twenty minutes or so of arguments, Cao walked out the courtroom a free man.  It all boiled down to one technicality regarding the brand and serial number of the firearm. Sylvester explained to the court that Cao is in possession of a license in respect of the same weapon for which charges were levied along with the ammunition in question.  The attorney further submitted that the court is not to be used as a tool either by the prosecutor or the defendant.  He further noted to Magistrate Dale Cayetano that while Cao did not have his license on him, it was later taken to the arresting officer and was later brought to his attention by a senior officer.  The argument from the Prosecutor, Corporal Noel Muschamp, was that the brand of the firearm in question did not correspond to the license, but the court noted that serial number was the same.  In Magistrate Cayetano’s view, the charges laid against Cao were not justified. Cao who is the owner of Everyday Supermarket in Hattieville and Fushion Night Club in Belize City, was then free to go.