A 18-year-old Pleasantville resident was remanded in custody after he appeared in court on three gang-related charges.It was the first time in San Fernando since the enactment of the controversial legislation that a prisoner appeared on gang-related firearm charges, in addition to the charge of being a gang member.Jameer Brathwaite, of Orchard Gardens, appeared before Senior Magistrate Judy Gordon, in the San Fernando First Court on Monday. Jason Edwards, 36, of Nice Street, La Romaine, also appeared before Gordon on five charges, including being a member of a gang.Brathwaite, who was arrested by WPC Natasha Subero, was charged with being a member of Monster's Gang, contrary to Section 5:1 (a) of the Anti-Gang Act 10 of 2011.The other charge against Brathwaite was that at Orchard Gardens, Pleasantville, he had in his possession ammunition and a firearm intended for use "for the benefit of/or under the directive of a gang or gang member."
He was also charged with unlawful possession of the firearm and ammunition.All charges were laid indictably by WPC Subero.Brathwaite, who was represented by attorney Trevor McLeod, will return to court on September 26.Edwards, who was represented by Shaun Teekasingh, was arrested by PC Roger Moses and charged with being a gang member and possession of a waterproof US military camouflage jacket similar to the uniform used by the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force.He was also charged with possession of a firearm, six rounds of ammunition and a magazine, 162 grammes of cocaine and 181 grammes of marijuana packaged in 40 packets.All the offences were allegedly committed on September 1 at Nice Street, La Romaine.Edwards pleaded not guilty to possession of the camouflage jacket.The other offences were laid indictably, so he was not called upon to plead. His cases were adjourned to October 3.