Three men found guilty of illegal possession of firearm, ammo

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) says three men, who were held with 18 firearms and approximately 4,000 rounds of ammunition in July 2013, were today found guilty of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.

The men, Kirk Smith, Basvil Owen Walters and Richard Mitchell, will be sentenced on November 17.

According to the DPP in a release today, the Crown led evidence that on July 2, 2013, officers assigned to the Portland Police Division set up a check point along Blueberry Hill main road in Portland, where a blue Toyota Hiace bus was signalled to stop.

Smith, who was the driver of the bus, continued driving, resulting in the police team giving chase.

During the chase, it is said that a white bucket was thrown from the vehicle onto the roadway.

The vehicle eventually stopped and a search by the police team revealed the handle of a shot gun in a black bag; a 12 gauge shot gun with a number of cartridges; five revolvers; and an unconcealed shot gun on the floor of the front passenger seat.

Meanwhile, a total of 11 firearms and several rounds of ammunition were found in the bucket, which was later retrieved.

The men were arrested and subsequently charged on July 20, 2013.