🔫 Local man gets seven-year sentence for illegal firearm possession

Eddie Marlon Ebanks, a 42-year-old local man, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for the possession of an unlicensed firearm. The sentence was handed down on Wednesday and is the mandatory minimum for such an offence. The firearm, a 9mm Luger pistol, was discovered in a drawer in Ebanks' bedroom during a police search last summer. The police had executed a search warrant at both Ebanks' workplace and his residence in Old Crewe Road, George Town. The reason for the issuance of the search warrant was not disclosed in court. 🏛️

The firearm was recovered after Ebanks informed the police of its location, claiming he had found it a few days prior. Although WhatsApp messages discussing firearm parts with a man in Florida were found on Ebanks' phone, there was no evidence presented that he had imported any parts or weapons. The court also received no evidence that the firearm, which lacked a serial number, had been used in any criminal activities. Justice Marlene Carter handed down the mandatory seven-year sentence, with the time Ebanks has already served to be deducted. Ebanks, who has no previous convictions for violent crimes, has been on remand at HMP Northward since his arrest in July last year. ⚖️