Police have charged an ailing mother and her son with one of the country's largest weapon seizures for the year.
Officers seized 16 guns and 867 rounds of ammunition hidden in groceries and appliances after they stopped a truck at Potter's Cay Dock on August 19.  The occupants of the truck had just collected the items from a mailboat, police said.
Police brought Bronell Humes, 53, of Dignity Gardens, before Gun Court Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt yesterday shortly after her release from hospital.  Humes, who is hypertensive, passed out when police arrested her at the dock, her lawyer Tai Pinder told the court.
Humes was still wearing pajamas and bedroom slippers at her arraignment.
Humes and her son, Trevis Demeritte, 36, of Boil Fish Road, denied 16 counts of possession of an unlicensed firearm and nine counts of possession of ammunition.
The mother and son are accused of having the following weapons: A Zastava 7.63x2mm pistol; a Taurus .40 pistol; a MOD MPK .380 pistol; a C9 9mm pistol; a Smith and Wesson .38 revolver; an Austria Glock .45 pistol; a Beretta 7.65 pistol; a Colt .45 pistol; a Taurus .38 revolver; a MOD RG40 .38 revolver; an Austria Glock .40 pistol; a Ruger .45 pistol; a Colt Mk IV .45 pistol; a Draco 7.62x39mm pistol; and a Cobray P.Mac 11.
They are also accused of having 70 rounds of 7.62 ammunition; 152 rounds of 9mm ammunition; 166 rounds of .45 ammunition; 100 rounds of .32 ammunition; 150 rounds of 9mm ammunition; 50 rounds of .40 ammunition; 50 rounds of .357 ammunition; 50 rounds of .44 ammunition; and 79 rounds of .25 ammunition.
Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Garvin Gaskin did not object to bail for Humes.  Ferguson-Pratt set her bail at $40,000 on the condition that she surrenders her passport to the court and reports to police on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays before 6 p.m.
However, Gaskin objected to bail for Demeritte, arguing that he faced serious charges and he would receive a speedy trial.  Ferguson-Pratt remanded Demeritte to prison until his trial, which is scheduled for October 24, 28 and November 7, 9 and 11.
Demeritte hugged his mother and told her to stay strong before police handcuffed him and escorted him to the Nassau Street Police Station.  Humes was taken to the station as well, but she did not stay there long.  Her bail was approved before the end of the court's day.
Terry Archer appeared with Gaskin.  Ian Cargill also represents Humes and Demeritte.

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