ST JAMES, Jamaica – A businessman was one of two people charged following the seizure of an illegal firearm in Granville, St James on Monday.

The businessman, 20-year-old Joshua Bell, from Porto Bello, was charged alongside Linval Watson, 22, otherwise called ‘Bryan’, from King Gate district in Anchovy, both in St  James. They were charged with possession of a prohibited firearm.

Reports are that around 1:00 pm, a team of police officers were carrying out operations at a vehicular checkpoint along the Chambers Drive main road when they signalled and stopped a Nissan Sylphy.

Bell was reportedly driving the car. Watson was a passenger seated in the back.

It is alleged that while officers engaged the driver, both men began behaving in a manner that aroused the suspicion of the police. They were asked to exit the car, and a search was reportedly conducted in their presence.

It is alleged that during the search, the police found a silver and black firearm under the back section of the front passenger seat.

Both men were taken into custody and later arrested and charged.

No court date was given for the two accused.