Guns in barrel

7 weapons, 1,039 rounds of ammo seized in MoBay

BY MARK CUMMINGS Senior staff reporter cummingsm@jamaicaobserver.com

Saturday, July 31, 2010

MONTEGO BAY, St James — Two men and a woman have been arrested in connection with yesterday's seizure of seven guns and a large quantity of assorted rounds of ammunition at a container terminal in Freeport, Montego Bay.

Commanding officer for St James, Superintendent Merrick Watson told reporters last night that among the weapons seized were two AK-47 rifles, which were found in a bag containing dog food in a barrel. The other guns, Watson said, were found in a microwave oven in the barrel.

One thousand and thirty-nine rounds of assorted ammunition were also found in the barrel, Watson added.

"The guns and ammunition were found during a routine check of the barrel by members of the Contraband Enforcement Team, after an individual went to collect the barrel," the police superintendent told reporters.

"What we notice about this find is that other than the conventional magazine that comes with the AK-47 rifle, we have what is known as a drum magazine that is capable of holding more than 100 rounds of ammunition."

Describing one of the AK-47 rifles as unique, Watson said it carries an optical scope, a bayonet on the end and a folded butt.

The barrel was destined for an address in the Montego Bay area, the superintendent said.

He said that weapons and ammunition were intended to create mayhem, and to disrupt the lives of the citizenry.

"Whoever sent these weapons to Jamaica sent them with one reason in mind and that is to create havoc and mayhem. Every round here represents a life," the police superintendent said.

Meanwhile, the commanding officer is urging the public to give the police any information that they might have on criminal activities in their communities.

"We want you to work with us; don't think for one moment that your silence guarantees your safety because these weapons could have turned on you, and even if they were not turned on you, you could be caught in a crossfire involving these weapons," Watson said.

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COMMENTS (18)

Xavi Singh
8/1/2010

The Gov, want SOE to get rid of the criminals to stop crime, and want more time to search for guns and ammo, while the wharf's are wide open,haha. So as they find 50 guns, a 100 more are brought and sent in.3/4 of the country buy this crap about SOE is needed, the Gov, has no crime fighting plan at all, they are using it as one.This is one o f the ills that should be addressed, instead of targeting mostly poor people, (they have no money to buy guns ), target the wharfs and who's sending guns.

mark jones
8/1/2010

Paul Gentles and Mike Daley, i share your sentiments.....for every 10 containers that enter this island how many get scanned? We are not barking up the real tree when it comes to investigating crime...No poor ghetto ute could organize the removal of 30 containers from the wharves unchecked.

Just Sayn
7/31/2010

We must acknowledge a job well done by the personnel at the terminal in Freeport, for making this grand discovery. Keep up the good work!!
I am guilty of complaining about the wait and the process to collect foreign sent container, but this justifies the wait. I will not complain, but wait patiently and respect the process at hand. They are in place for a good purpose.
Jah Bless!

Basil Rose
7/31/2010

Why is the US government or what every country these guns are going from is not been penalized for allowing these guns to be exported in the first place .When drugs are found on air jamaica didn't they have to pay a fine?? I guess everybody can dump their guns in jamaica and get away with it It's time for a change

bless williams
7/31/2010

all that is happening in our country these vultures still shipping these garbage to my island. send tools,bikes,cars,food,clothes etc so the poor can start legitimate businesses"why guns and ammunition"

Paul Gentles
7/31/2010

This type of find along with the containers "by-passing" customs demonstrates how ineffective the SOE was as it only targeted people who cant afford to import death into Ja.
The SOE was never creatively used,it should have targeted politicians and some of the "elite",the REAL suppliers of death.Customs remains porous.

David Biles
7/31/2010

My only question is: Do these firearms have their serial numbers intact? If it is, I'm sure the ATF can trace the guns back to the purchaser in the states. Then again, the guns could have been purchase at a Gun Show or from a private seller, where the requirements are different as far as record keeping is concern.
-
Also, the person who went to collect the barrel might be innocent and there barrel used as conduit and the guns were suppose to have been removed before the person clear it.

Phillip black
7/31/2010

These people and any other and or others where ever they may be should be executed immediately after a small hearing.These guns are not toys imported for kids they are for killing people ,anyone if you at the wrong place at the wrong time.I hope the Jamaican Police no government investigate this properly and get all ,mean all person or oersons involved in this .They should change the law for people to be executed for things like this.

jody hyde
7/31/2010

The bastard who send these guns to Jamaica, shame on you. I bet, you are one of the many bloggers who everyday criticizing the crime rate in Jamaica, yet, you are supporting it.
To the Commissioner, please get to the bottom of this one, do not take it lightly.Make an example out of these three that are arrested. I need to see names, why names were withheld?
To the sender or senders in USA, I hope the government get you extradited. You are a loser, you are a slime bag, get a life.
SHAMELESS!

James Allen
7/31/2010

Good Job, you should now investigate and and extradite the sender of the barrel from US to face punishment here in JA.

M. View
7/31/2010

These scums are nothing but traitors and should be dealt with accordingly. When is this goverment going to wake up you have to fight fire with fire.

Richie L
7/31/2010

So are they going to find out who sent the barrel?
.
They should have that person arrested too.
.
Richie

Bosco From Brooklyn
7/31/2010

"We have what is known as a drum magazine that is capable of holding more than 100 rounds of ammunition." These guys mean business, I shudder to think what would have happened to our beloved homeland if the Tivoli incursion did not occur.
Too many time the authorities make these astonishing discoveries & then little is heard thereafter. These weapons cost a lot of money. The authorities should leave no stone unturned to ensure that ALL INVOLVED are brought to justice.

Steve Allen
7/31/2010

Those people who are sending these guns to Jamaica
to murder our people are wicked and heartless, they are sick people who needs` to be locked away permanently.

Vincent White
7/31/2010

What is to be the punishment for these brazen law-breakers? After all this Tivoli ruckus, and the amount of time, money spent by the Govt. to rid Ja of guns; THIS? No punishment should be considered too harsh for these opperators. How do you deal with people whose only intent is to feather their own nests at the Country's expense? And between the 2 Governments, a concerted effort MUST be established to apprenhend the senders on the other side; otherwise we are only shooting in ythe dark.

Clara Brooks
7/31/2010

Find out where in the USA/Other countries these gun came from and publish the names of the person/persons that are responsible. Until we stop hiding these people names, they will continue to operate under Jamaican media darkness by not publishing their names in big bold print. Maybe the police are not sure of their investigative techniques, then for heaven get them trained. So many 1st world countries are willing to help the Jamaican police. Publish their names, put it out dey!!

mike daley
7/31/2010

This goes to show that we need a much more reliable computer, not human technology based system of scanning containers and auditing cleared shipments. For every 1 caught can you imagine what gets missed or allow to slip by. Remember the recent bust in Kingston of customs people who allowed scores of high end consumer electronics to clear without duty? No tell what else might have been in some of those boxes of big screen TVs. Corruption is just another side of crime.

Chuck Emanuel
7/31/2010

These persons arrested should be turned over to the U.S. Home Land Security Agency for interrogation and for the quick ascertaining of the masterminds.
Jamaica does not make guns, but Jamaicans engages in narco-trafficking, imports and exports guns to and from anywhere. Bring in the FBI.

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