GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands (CMC) – Three Jamaican men appeared in court here on Wednesday all charged with importing approximately 900 pounds of marijuana.

The men – Dalton Alphonso Wright, 44, Xavier Shane Watson, 43, and Malson Campbell, 66, were held by the police on Monday.

The court was told that, in addition, Wright is charged with possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit an offence.

He is further charged with committing a reckless and negligent act – navigating a vessel in a manner so rash as to endanger human life or safety.

Watson is also charged with making a threat to kill an officer.

The police reported that the incident took place on Monday as members of the Joint Marine Unit were on patrol when they spotted a suspicious vessel early that morning.

The vessel refused to stop when challenged and there was an extended pursuit in open waters.

The suspects were allegedly seen throwing packages overboard and one of them was said to have threatened an officer with a firearm. Officers discharged a service weapon in response and the vessel was disabled and detained and a large number of packages that had been thrown overboard were recovered.

The police also had observed other firearms on board, including some that were thrown overboard during the pursuit, but this was not referred to in court.

The men have been remanded until March 29.