Two men accused of smuggling guns and ammunition from the United States made their first appearance before a magistrate yesterday.
Taxi driver Shamar Ellis, 36, of Campbell Street, and Leonard Saunders, 28, of Churchill Subdivision, were arraigned on 17 counts related to the seizure of five firearms and 387 rounds of ammunition.
The men were arrested following a joint operation with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Bahamas Customs and The Firearms Tracing and Investigation Unit, police said.
The seizure was made at Prince George Wharf on April 8, but the contraband also transited Georgetown, Exuma.
The seized firearms included an Austria Glock 27.40 pistol, an Austria Glock 9x19 pistol, a Del-ton DTI 15 rifle, and a .223 5.56 assault rifle. Police also recovered ammunition for the weapons.
Ellis and Saunders also face charges of possession of guns and ammunition with intent to supply and conspiring to import guns and ammunition from October 20, 2013 to April 7.
They denied all charges at their arraignment before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt.
They return to court today at 1:30 p.m. for a bail hearing.
Inspector Don Bannister said he was "strenuously objecting to bail" as the men faced a multiplicity of offenses and were the subject of a further investigation.
Bannister said that Ellis had a 1999 conviction for attempted murder for which he served three years, a claim that Ellis denied.
Ellis is represented by Jomo Campbell, who was not present at the arraignment because he was in the Supreme Court.
Dorsey McPhee appeared for Saunders.

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