Local pregnant woman denies firearms charges

(CNS): Chanel Faith-Ann Ebanks denied trying to smuggle an unlicensed gun into the Cayman Islands when she appeared in Grand Court Friday. The 24-year-old woman, who is expecting a baby next month, pleaded not guilty to possession and importation of an unlicensed firearm following the seizure of a .45 pistol at Owen Roberts International Airport in May of last year. She was arrested by customs officers on arrival from Miami when her bag was selected for x-ray and an object that appeared to be a firearm part was detected.  Officers were said to have found firearm parts, which when assembled revealed a completed handgun. A trial date has now been set for December of this year as a result of Ebanks' pregnancy.