Dominica: 15 dangerous weapons recovered from a shipping container

Customs and Excise Division of Dominica successfully recovered 15 dangerous weapons from a shipping container. As per reports, officials also recovered 12 magazines and 963 live rounds of ammunition.

Customs Officers intercepted the consignment of weapons during a routine search at Woodbridge Bay Port on Thursday, February 3, 2022. Assistant Commissioner of Police Davison Valerie shared details at a press conference held by the Customs Division and the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF).

Valerie said several pistols, assault rifles, magazines, and a large quantity of ammunition were hidden among items such as "containers of Folgers Coffee, Nesquik chocolate powder, Pink Lemonade powder, and also in an IQ Bluetooth speaker box," as well as "containers of Folgers Coffee, Nesquik chocolate powder, Pink Lemonade powder, and also in an IQ Bluetooth speaker box."

According to Valarie, the materials seized are currently in police custody at Police Headquarters.

"It's intriguing to observe how far thieves will go to hide illicit stuff and hide their wrongdoings."

According to the Assistant Commissioner, "one individual has been arrested on suspicion of gun trafficking and importation."

He also revealed that US authorities had been contacted to investigate the illegal importation of firearms and ammunition into Dominica. He urged the public to continue to support and cooperate in the fight against crime in Dominica.

Comptroller of Customs Roderick Deschamp noted at the briefing that the recovery of the guns demonstrates his division's commitment to their duty and indicates an excellent job by Customs Officers.

"I'd want to use this occasion to congratulate my colleagues for working tirelessly under difficult conditions to achieve a compromise between the need to enable legal trade and the division's ability to interdict individuals determined to transgress our rules," Deschamps said.

He went on to say, "This weapon confiscation denies the intended manipulators the ability to use such weapons to participate in illegal action in our country." "Every illegal handgun taken off the street is a human life saved," a buddy always tells me.

On a local, regional, and international level, Deschamp stated that the Customs Division continues to work closely with the Dominica Air and Sea Port Authority (DASPA) and sister law enforcement agencies to ensure a collaborative effort in combating illegal weapons and drug trafficking into Dominica.

In addition, the Customs Comptroller remarked that a good working relationship with the CDPF over the preceding two years has resulted in excellent border security outcomes in Dominica.

With the introduction of several new units, employee training, and increased cooperation with Dominica's border agency partners, Deschamp pledged the Customs Division's ongoing efforts to reform and modernise its operations, particularly as it relates to cargo and passenger examination.

He praised the government for providing the software, noting that an upgrade to the current version of cargo management software and the installation of non-intrusive cargo and luggage examination equipment at ports are two critical areas where significant progress has been made.

The Customs Chief stated, "We shall continue to work carefully with all stakeholders to reduce the impact that such unlawful operations may have on our precious Island Dominica."

Despite the fact that one man is detained and participating in the inquiry, no charges have been filed against him. The police are yet to reveal his identity.

Officials stated in total, around fifteen firearms were seized, including four Taurus 9mm pistols, two Glock 23 40 calibre pistols, one Glock 17 9mm pistol, one FNS 9mm pistol, one Springfield 9mm pistol, one Kel-tec sub-2009 mm rifle, one Maple 7.62 rifle, one AK 47, one Smith and Wesson 5.56 rifle, one radical team Inc. rifle, one only hybrid riffle, and twelve magazines.

The ammunition collected included 657 9mm rounds, 50.223 rounds, and two 76.556 live bullets.