Link between guns and drug use, says St Kitts and Nevis PM

The Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis has said he is aware of the link between guns and drug use in the federation.

His statements come after The Royal St Christopher and Nevis Police Force reported that increased operations by the security forces have so far resulted in the removal of 12 illegal firearms from the streets during 2017.

Prime Minister Timothy Harris revealed that the majority of violent crime in St Kitts and Nevis is gang- and drug-related, saying "that is why the police have to continue to basically deal with both”.

He said: “Drugs are illegal in terms of their use here in St Kitts and Nevis, whether it is marijuana or cocaine, and as I said the strongest correlation is being found between illegal guns, firearms, ammunition and those who are involved in drugs in the country."

“We have to look both within ourselves to see if what we are doing is helping and within our own country to see if as many of us who can help are helping in this regard.”

Efforts by the security forces to not only rid the streets of illegal firearms but also to prevent them from reaching the nation’s shores is being increased, such as further cooperation between law enforcement agencies in St Kitts and Nevis and neighbouring islands.

“The Commissioner has met with his counterpart in St Maarten in recent times to address cooperation," he said.

"We have had efforts being made, and from the second week of May or thereabout, at the regional level, we are having a special meeting of law enforcement agencies in St Kitts, to address an OECS approach to this upsurge in violent crimes.”