Leighton Lewis, a fisherman from Hellshire Beach, St. Catherine, was sentenced by Justice Courtney Daye in the Corporate Area Gun Court on May 1 after pleading guilty to possession of a .45 semi automatic pistol and two rounds of ammunition.

Lewis, 24, who police sources said was a suspect in the drugs for guns trade between Haiti and Jamaica, was sentenced to five and three years respectively for illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.

The evidence, as presented by investigation officer Jason McKay, outlined that Lewis' home in Hellshire was raided and the gun and ammunition found in a tool box under his bed.

Lewis was the subject of long-term investigations by the Portmore CIB and Operation Kingfish, based on allegations of him being involved in the drugs for guns trade.

The Portmore police detained Lewis on several occasions on gun-related allegations, but this was the first time he was convicted of a firearm offence.

Lewis is said to be a big catch in the fight against the drugs for guns trade, which has been blamed for the influx of illegal weapons in the island from Haiti, where the weapons are plenty due to that country's civil instability.