ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) — A 28-year-old Jamaican is to be deported after he completes his near two-year jail term for possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Magistrate Ngiao Emanuel Tuesday upheld an application from the Immigration Department for Ricardo McKenzie to be deported to Jamaica after he pleaded guilty to possession of firearm and ammunition charges last month.

Emanuel was jailed for one year and eight months.

The All Saints Magistrate’s Court, District B, was told on Tuesday that on August 19 McKenzie was travelling in a motor vehicle with another Jamaican man, 34-year-old O’Neil Swaby, when they were intercepted and arrested by the police for possession of a nine-mm handgun along with ammunition.

When the pair made their court appearance, McKenzie pleaded guilty and the charges against Swaby were dropped. Swaby was, however, immediately deported by immigration officials.

The Immigration Department has since petitioned the court to have McKenzie deported on the completion of his prison term and the magistrate agreed to the petition.