HISTORY is replete with men and women who have committed the most heinous crimes against their fellow human beings. They kill and maim without mercy, sparing no thought for children, the elderly, nor the most vulnerable among us.

The individuals responsible for importing illegal guns and ammunition into this country are among that evil lot, absolute scum of the Earth who, by their morally indefensible actions, have forfeited their right to live among law-abiding citizens.

Last Wednesday, the latest attempt by these vile people to unleash more death and mayhem across Jamaica was foiled by the Firearms and Narcotics Investigations Division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and Jamaica Customs Agency’s Contraband Enforcement Team.

These committed law enforcers seized a large cache of illegal guns, firearm parts, and 2,819 rounds of ammunition at a wharf in Kingston.

The shipment, we are told, came from the United States packed in five barrels that also contained clothes and food.

The armament included three fully assembled guns and a number of firearm components that, when assembled, make up 39 pistols and one rifle.

Wednesday’s seizure comes 10 months after 61 guns and 900 rounds of 9mm ammunition were intercepted by law enforcers at the wharf in Kingston.

We recall as well that in February 2023 a total of five rifles, 54 guns and 101 rounds of ammunition were seized by law enforcement agencies at Freeport in Montego Bay, St James, bringing to 74 the number of illegal firearms captured at that wharf in a week.

Not to be forgotten are the 13 handguns — all 9mm pistols — six high-powered rifles, 30 9mm magazines, nine magazines for rifles, and 474 rounds of ammunition captured during an operation at the wharf in Montego Bay in January 2021.

Readers will recall as well that in March 2002 the authorities seized three rifles, 18 handguns, and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition at a warehouse at the wharf in Kingston. At the time, then Police Commissioner Major General Antony Anderson said that arms bust brought to 184 the number of illegal firearms taken from criminals since the start of that year. Of that number, just over 30 were high-powered rifles, including AK-47s.

These are just a few of the weapons confiscated at our ports over the years. We shudder to think what Jamaica’s annual murder toll would be without those seizures. Data provided by the JCF for the period January 1 to December 7, 2024 show that 1,085 murders have been committed — a decrease of 234 or 17.7 per cent compared to the same period last year. There were also 955 shootings — 107 or 10.1 per cent fewer than the same period last year.

This decrease in criminal activity is due in no small measure to the efforts of the security forces and, of course, Jamaica’s international law enforcement partners. But the numbers are still too high, and the fact that there are still heavily armed gangsters here willing to turn their guns on innocent citizens is an indication that these monsters, and the equally ignoble people who fund them, are relentless in their lust for blood and their desire to destroy the country.

They must not be allowed to win.

We again urge both major political parties to collaborate in a joint campaign to mobilise the Jamaican people to take the fight to criminals by giving massive support to the security forces. That, we firmly believe, will make a big dent in this nagging problem.