THREE customs clerks charged with the seizure of 16 high-powered weapons at the Kingston Wharves last month, were Thursday remanded in custody when they appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court.

The men – Hugh Richards, Andrew Brown and Clinton Edwards – who are also facing charges for the seizure of more than 800 rounds of ammunition, two noise suppressers and telescopic sights, will remain behind bars until April 1 when they return to court.

Brown, 38, of Spanish Town, St Catherine, had escaped the police dragnet at the Kingston Wharves, but was later held by the police.

He has been slapped with 42 charges, including conspiracy to deceive, uttering forged documents, making a false declaration and attempting to import arms, ammunition and other restricted items.

Edwards, who had attempted to jump in front of a moving tractor during the police operation, was hospitalised and later arrested. But while undergoing treatment, he jumped off the third floor of the Kingston Public Hospital in what the police said was an escape attempt.

However, Diane Jobson, Edwards’ lawyer, refuted the police claim and contended that her client was mentally unstable and had jumped from the building in an attempt to commit suicide.

“He is not well physically and mentally,” Jobson told the court on Thursday. “It was a suicide attempt,” Jobson said of her cleint who is facing 24 charges, including conspiracy to deceive, and conspiracy to import firearms ammunition and other illegal objects.

Richards is also facing 24 similar charges.

Superintendent Osmond Wright opposed bail for the three accused on the grounds that the investigations into the arms find was not yet completed.

The investigations also involve the United States Homeland Security, Interpol and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, (ATF).

“Our international partners are here and we are checking other consignments on the wharf which may well implicate other people,” Wright told the court Thursday.

The police said the 16 weapons, which included four assault rifles, three sub-machine guns, pistols and revolvers, originated from Florida but were shipped to the island from Philadelphia.

The weapons were discovered among imported food items and were destined to boost the arsenal of a leading Spanish Town gang, the police said.