A FLORIDA man awaiting sentencing for illegally exporting military items to the United Arab Emirates is facing new federal charges after prosecutors say they discovered evidence of a deal to sell ammunition to Jamaica.

Permanent secretary in the Ministry of National Security, Gilbert Scott, yesterday confirmed, during a telephone conversation with The Gleaner that he was aware of the case. However, the telephone call was disrupted before he could go into details. His cellphone later rang through to voicemail.

Pleaded guilty

According to a report on sun-sentinel.com, Lance Brooks, 38, owns Taylor and Associates, an arms-brokering business in Lauderhill, Florida. He was arrested last year as he attempted to board a flight to Abu Dhabi and pleaded guilty in December to export-related and other charges.

Now Brooks is facing charges stemming from an alleged transaction with Jamaica. According to federal prosecutors, Jamaican officials paid Brooks US$81,100 ($5.8 million) in March for more than 250,000 rounds of ammunition. Exporting controlled military items, such as ammunition, is illegal without a licence from the U.S. State Department.