Jamaican authorities have seized what officers are calling one of many largest unlawful firearms shipments within the nation’s historical past—233 weapons and over 40,000 rounds of ammunition—uncovered throughout a joint operation earlier this week.
Nationwide Safety Minister Dr. Horace Chang confirmed early stories of the discovery throughout a Particular Put up-Cupboard Press Briefing on Thursday, crediting enhanced port scanning for the interception.
“We intercepted 233 firearms coming into the nation,” Chang acknowledged. “Particular credit score to elevated scanning at our ports.”
He emphasised the severity of the discover, noting the sheer quantity of weapons had harmful implications for public security. “On this cargo, there have been 233 firearms. That’s greater than an organization—it will probably equip greater than an organization of troopers. That occurring our streets is designed to create mayhem.”
On the time of the briefing on Thursday, Chang mentioned authorities have been nonetheless tallying the ammunition, including, “40,000 and counting—and there’s extra.”
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The weapons, which embrace a mixture of rifles and handguns, are believed to have originated in the USA. The bust was made doable by a joint effort involving the Jamaica Constabulary Drive (JCF), the Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division (FNID), and the Jamaica Customs Company (JCA).
Minister of Training and Info Senator Dana Dixon offered up to date figures from the commissioner of customs: 74 rifles, 159 handguns, and greater than 40,000 rounds of ammunition.
When requested how this incident compares to earlier seizures, Police Commissioner Kevin Blake mentioned, “I’m tempted to say it’s the largest—we’re nonetheless doing our checks, however we imagine so. However I’ll be cautious and say it’s definitely one of many largest we’ve seen.”
Prime Minister Andrew Holness additionally addressed the scenario, directing a warning to these behind the smuggling operation. “I wish to pause right here to make an enchantment to our Jamaicans abroad and those that are right here collaborating within the importation of unlawful weapons. We’ll discover them, and we are going to discover you. And we’re severe about this.”
Investigations are ongoing. Authorities haven’t but disclosed any arrests in reference to the bust.
