Jamaica’s businessman charged for possessing firearm without license

Westmoreland, Jamaica: The authorities of Jamaica arrested the businessman following the patrolling exercise conducted in the Big Bridge area of Westmoreland for the offence of illegally possessing a Firearm and ammunition.

According to the details shared by the officers, the suspect has been identified as 36-year-old Jason Barrett, a Westmoreland Businessman. The officials were on mobile patrol duty when they saw a man with the bulge to the right side of his waistband, standing at the front of the shop.

This bulge on the waistband raised the doubts of the officials. Subsequently, the officers approached the suspect and held a search on him. The search resulted in the discovery of a firearm from the waistband of Jason Barrett.

The authorities found various things from Jason Barrett which included, a black and silver Smith and Wesson Springfield 9mm pistol. Along with that they also discovered a magazine containing sixteen 9mm rounds of ammunition.

The Jamaican police enquired the suspect about the firearm to which he replied that he was the holder of a firearm license. Following that, the authorities asked Jason Barrett to submit the license.

According to the reports, Barrett went towards his vehicle and pretended to check for its license. Later, he told the police that he could not find the license in his home; maybe he had left it there. After hearing that, the police officials accompanied the suspect to his house but couldn’t recover the licence.

He was thereafter arrested for possessing a firearm without a license. On Monday, he was presented before the St James Gun Court, where he was charged under the New Firearm Prohibition Act. He has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.

The apprehension of Barrett has been confirmed by Clifford Chambers, the Assistant Commissioner of Police.

Several residents of the community took to their official Facebook accounts. They expressed their views on the news and appreciated the authorities for their efforts in reducing the crime rate of the country.

One person with a Facebook account Oral Orville Allen commented “15 is still low he should get 3 years for each round.”

Another person commented the following “Brilliant efforts done by Jamaican police; such people should definitely be put behind bars for their offences.”