Dominica: 21-year-old refused bail for illegal possession of high-powered rifles

Following the recovery of various firearms, including two high-powered rifles and several rounds of ammunition, by officers of Dominica Police Force (CDPF), a 21-year-old Bense woman has been denied bail.

"Members of the Task Force Unit, Drug Squad, and Special Service Unit (SSU) carried out a search on the property of Francian Joseph of Bense on December 1, 2021, resulting in the recovery of two AR 15 rifles and 90 rounds of ammunition," Superintendent of Police Richmond Valentine previously revealed.

Following that, Joseph of Lovers Lane, Bense, appeared in front of Magistrate Bernard Pacquette in the Portsmouth Magistrate court last Thursday, where she was read many charges.

According to the police, Joseph had one black 9mm Taurus G-2 series magazine, one 9mm Smith and Wesson magazine, 55 live 5.56 calibre rounds of ammunition, 35 live 9mm rounds, one black semi-automatic AR-15 rifle serial number-17002890, and one black semi-automatic AR-15 pistol serial number unknown in her possession on December 1, 2021, at Lovers Lane, Bense, without having a valid licence for any of the items.

She was also charged with unlawfully moving one black 9mm Taurus G-2 series magazine, one 9mm Smith and Wesson magazine, 55 live 5.56 calibre rounds, 35 live 9mm rounds, one black semi-automatic AR-15 rifle serial number-17002890, and one black semi-automatic AR-15 pistol without a firearms and ammunitions licence.

The police prosecutor objected to bail at the hearing, claiming that because of the nature of the offence and the sentence, the defendant might try to elude justice if released on bond.

The presiding magistrate concurred and denied the 21-year-old bail, remanding him in jail at the Dominica State Prison. The case was postponed until March 2022.