Rasbert turner, Star Writer

Five men and a woman who appeared in the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate's Court charged in connection with the seizure of 16 pounds of ganja and an illegal gun, received $500,000 bail each for the drug, but were remanded for the gun.

Those charged are Kemar Wright, 25, Andrew Facey, 37, both welders; Tamara Thompson, 30, nurse assistant and labourers Daren Taylor, Bobby Singh and Richard Douglas.

The court was told that on March 12 ,about 3 p.m., police conducted a raid on a house at Caribbean Estate in St Catherine. During the search eight cylindrical packages with vegetable matter resembling ganja were found in a kitchen cupboard. A 9mm pistol along with 11 live rounds was also found in the bathroom.

applying for bail

The court was also told that US$3,300 and J$1.5M was found at the premises.

This led to the six being charged with possession, dealing in and taking steps to export ganja in addition to illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.

In applying for bail defence attorney George Soutar told the court his clients have established a steady place of abode and will turn up for their trial.

Resident Magistrate Simone Maddix granted bail on the matter of the breaches of the Dangerous Drug Act on condition that the six return to court on May 25. The defence was advised that the six will have to appear in the Gun Court Division for the matter involving gun to be heard.