Dominica authorities on Monday pledged to dismantle a gun-smuggling community after police introduced the seizure of almost 50 firearms — together with assault rifles — on the island’s ports for the reason that begin of 2025.
Appearing Police Commissioner Lincoln Corbette revealed throughout a press briefing that the Firearms Investigative Unit is actively probing the importation of a major cache of weapons and ammunition into the nation. The specialised unit, made up of officers from the police drive, Customs, and the Monetary Intelligence Unit (FIU), is working alongside different authorities companies to disrupt the move of unlawful arms.
“From January 23 to June 14, a complete of 42 firearms and 220 rounds of ammunition have been intercepted on the ports of entry into Dominica,” Corbette acknowledged, noting that the haul included two AR-15 assault rifles — weapons he described as “equal to the M-16 as carried by troopers.” A further seven firearms and 69 rounds of ammunition have been taken from suspected criminals on the streets, bringing the year-to-date complete to 49 weapons and 289 rounds.
“These seizures have led to the arrest of 21 people for possession and trafficking of firearms,” Corbette mentioned. “Seven have already been convicted, and the remaining await trial.”
Nationwide Safety Minister Rayburn Blackmoore additionally addressed the media, declaring that authorities are collaborating with regional and worldwide legislation enforcement companions to interrupt up what he referred to as a transnational gun-running syndicate.
“Definitely, there’s a syndicate and the origin of which we’re dedicated to dismantle,” Blackmoore mentioned. “The coordination we now have been capable of do with our regional and worldwide companions is working. The intelligence we now have been capable of domesticate can be very efficient.”
Blackmoore highlighted current investments geared toward curbing the unlawful arms commerce, together with roughly EC$2.7 million spent on scanners now put in in any respect ports of entry. He mentioned legislation enforcement officers are present process specialised coaching to hint weapons again to their sources.
Calling on the general public to help, Blackmoore urged residents to report suspicious exercise and inspired these in possession of unlawful firearms to give up them to authorities. He additionally chastised neighborhood members who impede police operations or flip a blind eye to unexplained wealth amongst younger individuals.
“In case your youngster comes residence with a motorbike or costly sneakers and doesn’t work wherever, you need to ask the place they obtained the cash from,” he mentioned, emphasizing that the accountability to stem gun violence rests with all sectors of society — from church buildings to varsities to civic leaders.
The minister famous that Dominica lately carried out a gun amnesty programme, permitting individuals to show in unlawful firearms with out concern of prosecution.
The crackdown comes amid rising concern over gun violence and arranged crime within the Caribbean, with authorities below growing strain to maintain weapons out of the arms of criminals.
