Court hears ... Cop had illegal gun for three months

One of the two police officers who was allegedly involved in an attempted robbery last year, allegedly was in possession of an illegal firearm for three months.

It was further alleged in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court yesterday that the other police officer said on caution that he and the three co-accused planned to steal three gaming boxes from a bar.

The policemen, Daenard Meikle, 35, and Christoph Campbell, 25, and their co-accused Odarie Frazer, 20 and Rushawn Alvaranga, 22, are charged with illegal possession of firearm and ammunition, breach of the Disaster Risk Management Act, attempted shop breaking and conspiracy to shop breaking. Campbell will also be before the Gun Court for illegal possession of firearm on February 24.

In a part-heard bail application yesterday, the allegations are that on December 29 at 3 a.m., police travelling along Windward Road in Kingston observed Alvaranga and Frazer hiding under a shed. They asked them their reason for being on the road, and they indicated that they were going to a construction site in St Thomas and were waiting on their boss, an individual by the name of 'Elder' to pick them up.

Across the road, in an open lot, a motor vehicle was spotted and the police approached it. Meikle, who was the driver, and Campbell, his passenger, were seen reclining in the car. They reportedly told the police that they were cops and had firearms. Meikle is reportedly a licensed firearm holder but Campbell was allegedly found with an illegal gun.

The prosecution alleges that when investigators asked the policemen about the two men under the shed, Meikle, on caution allegedly said "Mek me level wid yuh, Sarge, a we and the two yute and 'Elder' come fi bruk inna di bar fi tek weh the poker box dem." Frazer then said on caution "Offica, Elder put we fi watch di road and him will cut the grille."

The prosecution told Senior Parish Judge Lori-Ann Cole-Montague that they are opposed to bail as 'Elder' is not yet in police custody, and there is a likelihood that the accused would abscond bail.

However, attorney for Meikle, Orville Morgan, Kemar Robinson, who represents Campbell, and Zandra'Gay Francis, attorney for Alvaranga and Frazer, all assured the court that their clients would not abscond bail. Cole-Montague said she would reserve making a decision until a further date. The accused were remanded until February 7.