Police, on Wednesday, conducted an operation in Diamond that netted five firearms and scores of rounds of ammunition.
But amidst the findings were two packages, containing pieces of material, harmless in and of themselves, but which might actually result in criminals turning their guns on each other.
The police found two taped packages, which they also displayed at press conference at police headquarters in Kingstown, along with the guns, ammunition, and facemask.
“If you look on this package, you will see what is written on it in figures, which is $15,000. But when you open the package, this is what is in the package,” Deputy Commissioners of Police, Frankie Joseph said, revealing pieces of paper cut to about the size of a bank note.
Joseph said police believe criminals used the taped packages to deceive other criminals from whom they are purchasing illegal items, such as drugs or ammunition.
He said he believes that the deception contributes to acts of reprisal.
“Even though they are involved in illegal activities, they are expecting to be paid,” he said.
“And they are expecting to be paid legitimate monies, and, if on their findings, they realise that it is not money [but] it is paper, then you have to expect these reprisals.”
Joseph said police have had information for years that one of the reasons why there are so many illegal firearms in SVG is that persons barter marijuana for illegal firearms.
“… on occasion we have intercepted boats coming and leaving St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Some of the times, you will get marijuana, a few of the times, you got illegal firearms.
Wednesday’s cache is made up of two 12 gauge shotguns, one MK1, one 357 Magnum pistol, and one Glock 23 pistol. There are also 56 rounds of 5.6 ammunition, eight rounds of Glock ammunition, and 6 shotgun rounds.
And, the Criminal Investigation Department’s chief, Assistant Superintendent of Police Hezran Ballantyne said it is known that illegal marijuana cultivation takes place in SVG.
He said that police have conducted operations in the mountains and know that marijuana growers work hard.
“And can you imagine them receiving paper in place of genuine currency? Hence … we are seeing so many gun-related offences and it increases our homicide rate per year,” the chief detective said.
Superintendent Richard Browne, who is responsible for crime-fighting, said police cannot say specifically where the weapons originate from.
“We don’t have any idea where they came from, but in relation to the MK1, that is a US-made weapon and for a person to own such a weapon in the US, they have to have a federal firearms licence.”
Ballantyne said:
“What we do know, [is that] none of those weapons were manufactured in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”
Read also: Man shot dead in Diamond day after major gun bust
And the Ulp wants to decriminize ganga, this will fuel the crime rate and bring in more guns folks .
What a revelation indeed? Is this not truly an indictment our government and its leadership.
Is this information not truly telling? Note what Deputy Commissioners of Police, Frankie Joseph has to say in light of the marijuana debate that is taking place here at the moment, note; [Joseph said police have had information for years that one of the reasons why there are so many illegal firearms in SVG is that persons barter marijuana for illegal firearms.
“… on occasion we have intercepted boats coming and leaving St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Some of the times, you will get marijuana, a few of the times, you got illegal firearms.]
Therefore, if the Government knows this as a fact, it indeed only goes to show just how repugnantly immoral and reprehensible they are by their proposal in extending the growing and use of marijuana here. Would not such a largescale expansion in the growing of this plant here not encourage the criminal underworld?
Could not our Government’s behaviour, not be likened to that of the Criminal Drug Cartels, that holds so much sway, in much of Central America and Asia in the use and sale of those other drugs, Cocaine and heroin?
Indeed “ Joseph said police have had information for years that one of the reasons why there are so many illegal firearms in SVG is that persons barter marijuana for illegal firearms.” For sure what an indictment indeed on this our most immorally obnoxious government and its leadership!
Mr Browne in some states in the US. you don’t need a firearm license to buy a gun. The law varies by state. And as a high ranking officer you need to speak with more informed authority.
Couldn’t agree with you more
The defendant should be sentence to LIFE!! that child is damage for the rest of her life.
Why are the authorities handling these without gloves?