Three men, who were tried for smuggling a large shipment of guns and ammunition in the country, were convicted Friday and each sentenced to four years in prison.

41-year-old Hugh Richards, 45-year-old Clinton Edwards and 33-year-old Andrew Brown were sentenced in the Half-Way-Tree Criminal Court.

They were convicted on several counts of conspiracy and importing guns and ammunition without a license.

The three were charged in 2005 following the interception of a massive shipment of arms and ammunition on the wharves.

16 high powered weapons, including M16 and AK47 rifles and more than 800 assorted rounds of ammunition were seized in a container of food items.

Local investigators assisted by International Police (INTERPOL) and the US Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearm Division (ATF) later traced the shipment to Philidelphia.

US investigators reported that four of the 16 illegal weapons were stolen in the US.

The local authorities described the seizure as the biggest in the country's history.

At the trial, lawyers for the men argued that they were custom/broker clerks who were asked to clear the shipment.

The lawyers insisted that their clients had no knowledge that guns and ammunition were concealed in the shipment.

The men have been in custody for the past two and a half years.

this sentence is unfair ook at the men at treasure beach were they did not find the guns on them and they got 15 years and they found the guns on these mens that is straight up unfair.

As a reminder, when you post an news article we ask that you identify the source, with a link preferably. Justice, can you please provide a citation for this.

Thanks for your understanding,
-TBNet

When you do the crime,you do the time?

this is the address of the news article:
http://www.radiojamaica.com/content/view/939/26/
It was taken from RJR on friday 8/31/2007

When a crime is commited the law should mete out punishment to deter people from repeating the foul act. Accordingly, one would hope that there is some semblance of comparitive penalty depending on the severity of the crime commited. In the two cases cited it would appear that there are some blatant inconsistencies in the period of sentencing given.To the best of my knowledge, the men from St.Elizabeth did not have the finincial ability to secure adequate legal representation which might have resulted in the very harsh punishment that they got. Quite likely, thir case was not presented and persued with the highest level of legal jurisprudence to secure a just sentence. On the other hand, the other people were able to secure good legal representation to represent their interest resulting in a more lienent sentence for what appears to be crime of a greatr magnitude.

We should always remember the old saying that,"Justice must not only be done but it must appear to be done."

They say time is the master of all things. Perhaps the justice system realized that the relatively light sentence in '05 did not serve an importance purpose, i.e. deterrence, hence a harsher sentence has been meted out in '07. Now if this latter sentence doesn't stop the importation of murderous tools, Justice should consider even more longer sentences like life in the pen.

We should all work for a day when no one in Jamdown will need to own a gun, not even the "babylon". A day when the lion will lay down with the sheep; when we will beat our spears into pruning hooks. Selah.

These men were sentenced to 4 years in prison just last week friday, while the men from Great Bay received 15 years a couple months ago. Where is the justice? Do these Kington men have connections why they received 4 years? Or did someone with connections have the Great Bay men put away for such a comparitively longer time because of spite or malice?

Tracy, thanks for pointing oit that important distinction regarding the sentencing dates. I stand corrected and do agree that there is gross inconsistency here. However this does not negate the fact that serious crimes demand serious punishment.

In America the cry would be racism. So what is the cry in JA? Class? People who know people?
Better Legal Advisors?

The cry is to live in love and harmony.Remember who we are and where we are coming from. No one is perfect but we should strive to do good and good will follow us.

How about good lawyer to appeal the sentence based on the sentence that was given to the other four men. There is always time and oppotunity to appeal...is money a factor I would think.