Freeman Fordyce, one of the businessmen held after raids on two businesses in which suspected human trafficking victims were rescued last Friday, was brought before a city court yesterday to answer to charges of illegal firearm and ammunition possession.
Fordyce, of 99 Nandy Park, stood before Magistrate Judy Latchman, who read charges which alleged that on May 5, at George and Princes streets, Werk-en-Rust, he had a 9mm Smith and Wesson pistol and 15 live rounds of ammunition without being
a licensed firearm holder.
Subsequent to the charges being read, Fordyce pleaded not guilty.
Attorney Nigel Hughes, who appeared on behalf of Fordyce, told the court that his client denied the allegations being levelled against him.
Hughes noted that the weapon was found at the defendant’s premises, which were subject to two robberies.
The attorney then requested reasonable bail for Fordyce, whom he said has been a businessman for 25 years and is the owner of a jewellery and pawn shop.
Police Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves told the court that on the day in question, the police went to Fordyce’s business place, Umbrella Chill and Sports Bar and requested to carry out a search on his person and on the business.
During the search of Fordyce, the police said they found the firearm in the crotch of his pants.
The prosecutor then objected to bail being granted, citing the seriousness of the offences, their prevalence and the penalty they attract.
As a result, Magistrate Latchman denied Fordyce bail and remanded him to prison.
The matter will be called again on May 22.
On March 23, 2015, Fordyce was among two men charged with abducting and unlawfully detaining Rhonda Ward. The charge stated that on August 27, 2014 and August 31, 2014, Ward was standing on Croal Street, when Fordyce drove up and stopped in front of her. He then allegedly pushed Ward into his car, after which he drove to a house in Alberttown, where he forcibly kept her confined, while another man, Nelson Pratt, kept watch. The woman was, however, released the same day.
Fordyce was also wanted by the police for questioning in relation to investigations into the attempted murder and abduction of Devon Chung, which occurred on June 26, 2015, at D’Urban Street and Vlissingen Road. The current status of these cases was not clear.
