JDF soldier charged after ammo found in knapsack

August 13, 2026

A Jamaica Defence Force soldier is facing an ammunition charge after police allegedly found three rounds of 5.6-calibre ammunition in a knapsack during an operation in Gregory Park, St Catherine.

The accused is 30-year-old Javaughn Howard, otherwise called ‘Jay’, a member of the JDF Engineer Regiment from Portmore, St Catherine.

Reports are that about 7:30 p.m. on Monday, August 10, detectives assigned to the Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division, armed with a search warrant, carried out an intelligence-driven operation along Hamilton Drive, Gregory Park.

During the operation, police reportedly searched a knapsack belonging to Howard and found three rounds of 5.6-calibre ammunition, which the police allege were illegally possessed.

Howard, who was reportedly at the premises, was taken into custody on suspicion of the offence.

Following a question-and-answer session, he was subsequently charged with unauthorised possession of ammunition.

His court date is being finalised.

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