Smith, Ferguson and Seymour charged with trafficking Guns, Ammo & Drugs; all three remanded, two now freed on bail

Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Correspondent

#TurksandCaicos, February 15, 2024 – Magnetic Media was at the Magistrate’s Court around 1pm on Tuesday February 6, 2024 when two of the three conspiracy charged individuals arrived guarded by five male and one female, comprising a UK team of detectives attached to the Serious Crime Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force(RTCIPF).

Both accused men were handcuffed; arriving in two unmarked police vehicles.

The defendants were placed before the learned Chief Magistrate Mr. Jolyon Hatmin who first inquired about their representation, given the fact that no attorney was present for the arraignment.

RYAN SMITH, 41 expressed that his lawyer, Mrs. Lara Maroof Misick, was not able to be present due to her engagement in another court matter; Smith adding that he was willing to proceed without her when asked by the learned Chief Magistrate.

Chief Magistrate Hatmin asked the same of the second man, JAMES FERGUSON, 27, who indicated his willingness to go on without his counsel, Ms. Sheena Mair, who was also appearing in the Supreme Court for an ongoing trial.

Having consented to proceed, the CM promptly informed that the matter must be transferred to the Supreme Court.

He told them that’s the extent of his powers in matters such as this and then read out the charges to them individually.

Smith and Ferguson were then remanded to His Majesty’s Prison, with a date for the Sufficiency Hearing set for early March 2024.

The allegations are that sometime in 2021 they were involved with supplying firearm, ammunition and in 2023 drugs, with the now late deceased JUMILLO ISMA.

Although neither of the men was able to appear in court on the charges as yet, it was also shared that identified as allegedly being a part of the gun smuggling operation are father and son: CHUNKO SEYMOUR and SHAKEME SEYMOUR, 23.  The younger Seymour has been in prison on remand for nearly three years in a separate North Caicos shooting incident.

The father CHUNKO SEYMOUR is in the Dominican Republic, reportedly undergoing medical treatment due to injuries from a motor vehicle accident according to police.  Despite, the Serious Crimes Unit has explained that he will too be charged immediately upon arrival in the jurisdiction as part of the conspiracy allegations.

Many are suspicious of the claim by the elder Seymour.

SHAKEME SEYMOUR was called via video link but he asked the Chief Magistrate to allow him time to apply for legal aid before going forward in the matter. He was granted his request and remanded. He is currently facing two charges of conspiracy to supply firearm and ammunition.

Smith and Ferguson have since applied for and granted bail.  Smith is barred from traveling out of Grand Turk without permission and has surrendered travel documents.  Bail was set at $40,000 for Ryan Smith with two sureties.

It is unclear what the bail conditions were for James Ferguson, but we are advised that he has met them and is now released pending the Sufficiency Hearing.