MONTEGO BAY, St James – A St James carpenter was this week remanded in police custody following his appearance before the Gun Court and the Resident Magistrate’s Court for the illegal possession of firearm and ammunition and ganja, respectively.

The 22 year-old accused, who has given his name as Kadesh Parke, is to reappear before the courts on February 4.

He was arrested at his Sign residence in Irwin during an operation carried out by the Area One Flying Squad and the Area One Operations Unit on January 17.

At about 5:00 am, the police went to the premises with a search warrant. On arrival, they reportedly knocked and identified themselves as police officers. Parke answered the door and the lawmen entered the three-room board house.

A search of the house reportedly turned up a home-made handgun with one 12-gauge remmington shotgun cartridge hidden beneath Parke’s bed and under his pillow. Two white cigars containing ganja were also found. Parke was subsequently arrested and charged.