Fifteen firearms, 12 magazines and 963 live rounds of ammunition hidden in several items in a cargo container on the port were recovered by members of the Customs and Excise division last week.
At a press conference held by the Customs Division and the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF) this morning, Assistant Commissioner of Police Davison Valerie reported that on Thursday February 3, 2022, Customs Officers intercepted a consignment of goods during a routine check at Woodbridge Bay Port.
He said during the inbound examination operation, several pistols, assault rifles, magazines and a large quantity of ammunition were hidden in a large cargo box within items which included “containers of Folgers Coffee, Nesquik chocolate powder, Pink Lemonade powder, and also in an IQ Bluetooth speaker box.”
Valarie said the items seized are now in police custody at Police Headquarters.
“It is interesting to note the extent to which the perpetrators would go to conceal illegal goods and disguise their criminal acts. One man has been arrested on suspicion of trafficking firearms and importation of firearms,” the Assistant Commissioner stated.
He further disclosed that a request for assistance into the investigation of the importation of the firearms and ammunition into Dominica has been made to the United States authorities and appealed to the general public for their continued support and cooperation in fighting crime in Dominica.
Comptroller of Customs, Roderick Deschamp, in his remarks at the briefing, said the seizure of the weapons demonstrates his division’s commitment to their task and constitutes an outstanding job by Customs Officers.
“I want here to commend my staff who, under very difficult circumstances, continue to work tirelessly to balance the need for facilitating legitimate trade, while ensuring that the division can interdict individuals determined to circumvent our laws,” Deschamps stated.
He added, “This weapon seizure denies the intended manipulators the use of such weapons to undertake criminal activity in our country. A friend always tells me that every illegal firearm off the street is a human life saved.”
Deschamp further averred that the Customs Division continues to work in close cooperation with the Dominica Air and Sea Port Authority (DASPA) as well as sister law enforcement agencies locally, regionally and internationally to ensure a collaborative effort in curbing the trafficking of illegal weapons and drugs into Dominica.
The Customs Comptroller also posited that a close relationship with the CDPF over the last two years has borne great results in protecting Dominica’s borders.
With the introduction of several new units, training for staff and strengthened cooperation Dominica’s border agency partners, Deschamp pledged the Customs Division’s continued efforts to find ways to reform and modernize its operations, especially as it relates to cargo and passenger examination.
He said an upgrade to the latest version of a cargo management software, as well as the introduction of non-intrusive cargo and baggage examination equipment at the ports are two critical areas tremendous progress has been made and thanked the government for providing the software.
“The Customs Division is determined to carry out its mandate to not only collect the revenue, but to safeguard our society and we will continue to work diligently with other stakeholders to mitigate the harm that such illegal activities may have on our beloved Island Dominica,” the Customs Chief stated.
Though the police revealed that one male individual is in custody assisting with their investigation, a charge has not been preferred against this person; hence, his name was not disclosed.
The fifteen firearms seized include 4 taurus 9mm pistol, two Glock 23 40 caliber pistols, one Glock 17 9mm pistol, one FNS 9mm pistol, one Springfield 9mm pistol, one Kel-tec sub-2000 9mm rifle, one Maple 7.62 rifle, one AK 47, one Smith and Wesson 5.56 rifle, one radical team Inc. rifle, one only hybrid rifle, and 12 magazines.
The ammunition which was recovered includes 657 9mm rounds, 50.223 rounds and two 76.556 live rounds.
Good job Customs staff!!! It is a challenge trying to catch illegal guns without the requisite screening technology at your disposal. Every weapon you uncover is a potential person or persons saved from serious injury or even death. The proliferation of illegal guns is a growing danger globally, with some using online suppliers to help them assemble untraceable “ghost” weapons right in their homes.
Trying to control and deter the transitory flow of guns (and drugs) is an uphill battle; however, mitigating the wicked intent of the human heart and mind is damn near impossible.
The US is awash in guns. Don’t expect help from that quarter.
You know, one would believe with all these guns on the streets and officers expected to be policemen 24hrs a day I still don’t understand why EVERY police officer in Dca is not armed 24hrs a day. Why the commissioner and national security minister have not seen it fit to issue officers personal service firearms? These gentlemen walk around very well armed 24hrs a day but those facing the criminals every minute don’t even have their lapo-bonda to protect themselves and family at home and even on the job if push comes to shove. Once again I asked the police high command to STOP being selfish and assign each officer a duty firearm he/ she can carry 24/7. One day someone must say Bwa-Banday had warned about this, mark my words!
And soon it under de carpet I want to know who kill my u cle ro I so even if he was a troublesome man he was nice to me. Do allu not sending inquiries so everything going underneath
I mean uncle Robinson
Magway can,sometimes you post BS but for now I agree with you.Most glock use 9 mm rounds of ammo.The 5.56 rounds are for the M16’s and M4 carbines.I know the M60 use 7.62 rounds ,and Ak47 also use 7.62.I have never seen or heard of 2009 mm or 76.556 mm,must be new.Ar15 can be modified to use different rounds,but it is more 5.56.Bush master,Desert eagle,hybrid rifle I wonder who make that one, must be new
Kel-tec sub-2009 mm rifle is a kel-tec sub2000 in 9mm caliber
Maple 7.62 rifle is actually a Zastava ZPAPM70 in 7.62×45 caliber with the stock removed
AK 47 is actually a clone of an akm in 7.62×45 caliber
Smith and Wesson 5.56 rifle this one they got correct
radical team Inc. rifle this is actually a company name not the name of a rifle ( i almost fall of the chair laughing
only hybrid riffle ( spelt rifle DNO ) this can be one of a million firearms as a hybrid rifle is a weapon assembled from numerous parts from different weapons or manufacturers . so this weapon should be labeled by the manufacturer of the lower receiver
ADMIN: Thank you for making those points.
We have updated parts of the article but have also reached out to the authorities for clarification as our report was based on information they provided at a police press conference.
the 7.62×45 calibers are 7.62×39 my apologies
But you should also know the difference between of and off… with you “fall of the chair laughing.” Make certain that you are right before correcting or laughing at someone.
Excellent job by the customs authorities.search those barrels properly to make sure it not elicit items that are coming in our country.
The national security forces (Polices & Customs) should always be highly trained and adequately resourced. The borders are too porous and security needs to be beefed up. It’s just by happenchance that illegally imported firearms and ammunition are detected and confiscated by border security.
This current Administration has a proclivity to look out for the best interest of foreigners but shows a lewd neglect for the lives, safety and wellbeing of native Dominicans.
Here are the facts:
*we have a poorly trained, under-resourced, criminal police force
*very inadequate and poor medical services (many locals have to seek medical attention overseas)
*unemployment is unprecedented but foreigners getting government contracts
*no stimulus to small businesses nor assistance for those citizens living in desperate poverty
Mr. Skerrit and his chickenhearted disciples are nothing more than gluttonous sadists.
IBO France,
You personally did your article a disservice when you began the name calling. Although it appears that
Law enforcement always seem under sourced, we must say that this was a job well done. Why don’t you commit your time, safety, and wellbeing to help prevent these firearms from entering into the Dominican borders. I bet if an individual showed up to your door you would run to call the under trained criminal police to save you.
@Dominica2Dbone
Talk truthfully. Do you think that the CDPF is well trained? Do you think that they have the adequate resources? Do you think that this organisation has the best person leading it? If so, take your head from the proverbial ostrich position.
You need a reality check. The Customs officers should get the bulk of the credit. The police are expertly great at brutalizing unarmed citizens, arresting law abiding individuals, and, at times, killing suspects in their custody.
The TRUTH may offend you but it’s NOT a sin.
But that not making sense when is drugs such as cannabis they charging them and holding them on the spot, but look at this high powered weapons and it’s like what?!
They should Xray all cargo originating from the US.
That country is the primary source of weapons going to Mexico and US.
Very good Job by law enforcement. Stay vigilant. Let’s keep dominica safe. Time government pass harsh punishment for these crimes 10 yrs for each bullet. 20 per gun
That’s the funniest list of firearms I’ve seen. Some of the names given do not even exist. They just made up names for some of those I suspect. And what’s a 76.556 calibre round ? Dno you sure u quoted what the police said correctly? 2 of the weapons look like ak 47. But are not. The kel-tec is a sub 20 in 9mm. Not a sub2009 mm. What the hell is a hybrid rifle ? Good grief I’m dying of laughter from those names.
Magway ca, one of the worst things to do is try to make people look bad and you have not done your homework. They may have made an error with the name of the rounds by putting 76.5 instead of 7.65 but there is a hybrid rifle. It is actually the result of the marriage of the technology used for making hunting rifles and that used for gaming rifles.
Can we please maintain the image of Dominicans as intelligent people and stop focusing on trivialities. The substantive matter here is that several dangerous weapons were prevented from entering our streets, thanks to the officers. However, someone wants to stoke their own ego by pretending they have knowledge of weapons and trying to belittle the officials and DNO.
ADMIN: The details were was based on information provided by the police at a press conference.
However, we acknowledge our own responsibility in verifying the information that we publish.
Therefore, we have reached out to the authorities for clarification to ensure that our report accurately represents their statements. We will update or clarify as necessary as soon as we receive further word.
not trying to make them look bad they did just that on there own. its just comical that a so called professional police force can make basic mistakes like that and you even got it wrong as well.( 76.5 instead of 7.65) this is one place u tried to correct me but u still got it wrong . the police force meant to say 276, 5.56×45 mm rounds NOT 7.65 and also 50.223 is meant to be 50, .223 rounds . but in trying to say im trying to make people look bad you showed that you yourself dont even know what you are talking about. wow thats funny as hell thanks for making my night. trust me if is one thing i know is guns and ammunition been using the lot professionally since sept 2003 . so thanks for making me have a good laugh watching you make yourself look bad
also i notice that you read ‘mercenary for hire’ post before coming and comment on my own. claiming you know what a hybrid rifle is. wow typical Dominican hear someone say then repeat and pretend they know
I thought the same. Crazy ! and sad !
Thank goodness that’s these guns were found. We really don’t need these on the streets. We all as citizen need to play our part in keeping Domica safe.
This is a large enough cache of weapons to start an army and guerilla warfare. Why would anyone or any group of people need so much fire power?
Believe this! When a government is corrupt the whole country becomes corrupt. This is exactly what’s happening in Dominica today. Corruption at the top filters down to the ordinary people. In fact, it pervades the whole of the civil service and the society.
Glad that these instruments of death were found and confiscated before they got on the streets. This has avoided a bloodbath.
@Ibo, Don’t pretend you know dam well whom is behind all that s**t who the hell you think you are fooling after spending a very long time on this Forum asking for a ravalution, just becarefull what you wish for you and your lots may not like it believe me!!!!
Our minister of defence is weak.We are constantly hearing so called patriots talk about “taking our country back’The minister should provide the names of the so called patriots to the FBI and homeland security.I did not see any 7.62 cal.5.56 for M16 and M4 cabine
So now the Labor party cabal is slyly trying to hold the US authorities responsible if more illegal guns come into the country and no one is punished. Skerritt Likes to push up his chest and talk to the Americans about his power as leader of (Mighty) Dominca which is independent and it’s territorial integrity. Yet illegal guns come in, and even in the past we were told that the US authorities alerted the Dominica authorities before the illegal goods arrived, local operatives allowed the guns and ammunition to leave the secure port compound and few arrests and prosecutions have occured. There are so many unresolved criminal matters in this two bit country that criminals feel emboldened. Skerritt made it sound like illegal activity is normal in Dominca, like back door entry. Every issue in the country, Skerritt takes over all ministry’s effort to resolve issues, so how much is he doing on this issue? Hope prosecutions will result this time and harsh punishment meted out.
Yes sah! Ok its been a week since a person was picked up for questioning. It would be total madness to release that person for his own safety and that of the public. Yes, if he is released prematurely he will be silenced by his accomplices by any means necessary. You cant detain him for more than 72 hours without a charge or he must be released. So, did you all release him so more evidence connecting others to the crime can be destroyed? I dare say here that the police know all those at home tied to this illegal importation by afraid of taking anyone else in custody.
Everyone with commonsense knows who is the BIG Papa behind those guns. Just by ask Ma Boyd Kitchen and ask about the land at lalay coco and you will find out.