NEW YORK, USA — The massive February 17, 2025 gun and ammunition find at Newport West, Port Bustamante, has found favour with Diaspora leaders and others here who have commended the Jamaican police for the breakthrough.

Sixty-six firearms, including 50 handguns and 16 rifles, along with more than 4,500 rounds of ammunition, were discovered in two barrels intercepted by investigators from the Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division (FNID) and Jamaica Customs Agency.

Two men were taken into custody in connection with the find, the police said.

“They deserve to be commended for what is indeed a massive find,” Ronnie Hammick, who heads the Ex-Correctional Officers Association of Jamaica, said of the police action, noting that the security forces were often criticised for not doing enough to rein in the high crime rate which has plagued the country for too long.

“It most likely would have been a catastrophic situation had all those firearms and ammunition got into the wrong hands,” continued Hammick. “It is one more reason why the support of citizens is important if the police are to have near or total success in their crime-fighting efforts.”

Dr Shauna Chin, the California-based Global Jamaica Diaspora Council representative for the West-Mid West United States, was also elated that the security forces were able to thwart the efforts of those who would want to commit heinous crimes.

“That is what these guns were meant to be, and the fact they did not get into the hands of the wrong people is a tremendous relief,” she told the Jamaica Observer while urging that every effort be made by all concerned to assist the security forces and the Government in the fight to rid the country of crime.

In his response to the gun and ammunition find, Dr Rupert Francis, who has frequently butted heads with the Government on issues pertaining to the Diaspora, said “the quick action of the security forces in this latest arms find is worthy of commendation”.

Francis, who chairs the Diaspora Task Force on Crime Intervention and Prevention, also agreed that more needs to be done by the Jamaican public to assist the police in their crime-fighting efforts.

“It’s just not possible for the security forces alone to fight the crime monster if a serious dent is going to be made in curbing this disease,” he argued.

Irwine Clare Sr of Team Jamaica Bickle, the non-profit which provides assistance for athletes at the annual Penn Relays, described the arms find as “a significant breakthrough” by the police.

Peter Gracey, the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council representative for the southern US, applauded the police on the bust, saying it was “a big and commendable advantage for law enforcement”.

Following the bust, head of the police Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Branch (C-TOC) Assistant Commissioner Anthony McLaughlin said the constabulary is prepared and determined to go after people involved in shipping illegal guns to the island.

“There are a number of other persons who will be questioned in connection with the find,” McLaughlin said.

“Once again, we are warning persons who want to use this route to ship firearms and other illegal things to Jamaica that we are tightening up on the borders. We are cooperating more with our international partners, so once you try to do this sort of thing you are going to be caught and charged,” declared McLaughlin.

February’s arms bust follows the interception of a large quantity of illegal firearms and ammunition at a Kingston wharf last December. The shipment, which originated from the United States, involved five barrels that were declared as containing grocery and clothing. However, upon inspection, they were found to contain three fully assembled firearms and various component parts such as pistol slides, rifle barrels, and magazines, as well as 2,819 rounds of ammunition.

A preliminary assessment revealed that the component parts could assemble an additional 39 pistols and one rifle.

Last week, Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) also issued a stern warning to gun smugglers, saying that the successful seizure of illegal guns and ammunition underscore the agency’s relentless pursuit of national security and its ongoing efforts to disrupt the illegal arms trade.

“These latest interceptions highlight the effectiveness of the JCA’s modern inspection systems and the diligence of its team. With cutting-edge cargo inspection technology and collaboration with local and international law enforcement, our message is clear — send food and not weapons; if you attempt to smuggle weapons through our ports, we will find them,” Customs said.

In recent times the Government has been reeling off statistics showing a big reduction in murders and other major crimes.

For the period January 1 to February 18, 2025 police data show a total of 99 murders compared to 130 over the same period last year, a decrease of 23.8 per cent.

Shootings were 114 compared to 130.

Last year, Jamaica recorded a 19 per cent reduction in murders, compared to a year earlier, and a 14 per cent drop in shootings, robberies, break-ins, and rapes.

CHIN… the fact that those guns did not get into the hands of the wrong people is a tremendous relief

CLARE… a significant breakthrough by the police