A 37-year-old taxi driver, who was allegedly found with drugs along with an unlicensed firearm and ammunition during a Police search at his New Amsterdam home, was on Friday placed on a total of $700,000 bail. Ryan Lewis of Shoe Lane, New Amsterdam, appeared before Magistrate Michelle Matthias at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court on Friday, where he was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm without a licence and unlawful possession of ammunition without a licence. Lewis pleaded not guilty to both charges.

The court granted him $400,000 bail on the firearm charge and a further $300,000 bail on the ammunition charge. The matter was adjourned to July 6. No charge relating to the suspected narcotics was filed on Friday. The charges stem from a Police operation carried out on Tuesday at Lewis’ residence after ranks reportedly acted on information received. According to Police, officers conducted a search of the premises during which several parcels wrapped in transparent plastic and containing leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis were discovered inside two blue plastic barrels.

Police said Lewis was informed of the suspected narcotics offence, cautioned and allegedly admitted ownership of the substance. Investigators said a further search of a wooden chest of drawers led to the discovery of a silver-coloured object. 38 Special revolver bearing serial number UA852487, along with six matching rounds of ammunition. Police alleged that Lewis was unable to produce a licence for either the firearm or the ammunition. He was cautioned and arrested. The suspected cannabis was subsequently weighed in his presence and amounted to 14.650 kilograms. Samples were taken and sent for forensic analysis, while the firearm and ammunition were lodged for ballistic examination.