St John man admits to gun, ammo, drug charges

Asif Iqbal Padmore will return to the No. 4A Supreme Court on September 20 after admitting to firearm, ammunition and drug charges.

The 44-year-old of Henley Land, St John appeared before Madam Justice Wanda Blair earlier this week and admitted to having a trafficable quantity of cannabis — 1.6 kilogrammes — on January 31, 2019, and possession of the illegal drug. He also pleaded guilty to having a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol without a valid licence and seven rounds of ammunition without a valid permit.

He is represented by King’s Counsel Andrew Pilgrim.

Principal State Counsel Joyann Catwell told the court that police arrived at Padmore’s residence around 6 a.m. on the mentioned date with a search warrant. When a woman appeared at the side window, the officers identified themselves and asked her to open the door. She closed the window and walked away from the door and police could hear a toilet being repeatedly flushed. The woman returned to the window while talking on a cell phone, but again ignored the lawmen’s orders to open the door.

An officer then gained entry through one of the windows and unlocked the door for the others who searched the
home.

Police outside the home observed a black drawstring bag being thrown through the bathroom window. It landed close to them and when it was opened, a black firearm with a magazine was found.

Other officers gained entry to a bedroom and found Padmore, who identified himself, lying on a bed. As the search continued, a small quantity of cannabis was found in that room. Cannabis was also found in two buckets and a shoebox in the kitchen. 

When asked to give an account, Padmore told the officers: “That is marijuana I had growing in the gully.”

Questioned him about the firearm and ammunition, Padmore claimed ownership and admitted to not having a licence or permit for them.

Justice Blair adjourned the matter until the September date when sentencing submissions are expected to be heard.

Padmore remains on bail.