A 40-year-old construction worker has been jailed for 40 months for possession of an unlicensed firearm.
Lesmond Franklyn, of Dickson and Orange Hill, was also sentenced to one year imprisonment for possession of unlicensed ammunition when he appeared before the Serious Offences Court on Wednesday.
He was arrested one day earlier during a joint patrol operation involving tactical units of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force in Orange Hill.
The officers found Franklyn with a .380 pistol and seven rounds of ammunition without the licences required under the Firearms Act.
In a statement on Wednesday, the police force praised the officer involved in the operation.
“Their vigilance, coordination, and decisive action resulted in an illegal firearm being removed from the community and the offender being brought swiftly before the court,” the police force said.
Lowmans Hill man pleads not guilty
Meanwhile, police have charged Rahiem Williams, a 30-year-old construction worker of Lowmans Leeward, with possession of one Glock 43X pistol, possession of six rounds of ammunition, and taking a conveyance without the consent of the owner or lawful authority.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges before the Serious Offences Court in relation to the offences that were alleged to have been committed on Monday.
Williams was granted EC$20,000 bail with one surety and ordered to report to the Central Police Station every day between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. and to surrender all travel documents. The matter was adjourned to Aug. 6.
Police hail seizure of illegal weapons
Police said that the seizure of the two firearms represents more than the recovery of two weapons.
“They represent two firearms that can no longer be carried into a dispute, used to intimidate a citizen, or turned against another human being,” the press statement said.
The RSVGPF remains fully engaged in the fight against illegal firearms. Officers across the country will continue to conduct targeted patrols, joint operations, searches, and enforcement activities aimed at identifying illegal weapons, removing them from circulation, and bringing those responsible before the courts.”
Police said the public should be assured that this work is being done on their behalf and in defence of their safety.
“The Force also recognises that police action alone cannot solve the problem of illegal firearms. Information from citizens remains critical. Anyone with information concerning an illegal firearm, ammunition, or persons involved in firearm-related activity is urged to contact the police.
“Every firearm removed is one less weapon available to threaten the peace and security of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”