A Castle Bruce man is now on a five year suspended jail sentence and also owes the court $7,500.00 following his guilty plea to possession of firearms and ammunition.
During an operation by the police on March 16, 2022, at Kingshill, Shermanie Graham of Castle Bruce was arrested and later charged for being in possession of an illegal firearm and 12 rounds of ammunition.
Graham appeared before the Roseau Magistrate court on March 21, 2022, where the charge was read to him which pleaded guilty to.
The facts of the case were then presented to the court following which a fine the aforementioned fine was imposed upon him for illegal possession of a firearm.
For the charge of possession of ammunition Graham was sentenced to one year in prison which was then suspended by the Magistrate for five years.
Meantime, head of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Assistant Superintendent of Police, Belgrove Charles said that the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF) will continue its crime fighting and prevention strategy, as his department and other units have bolstered efforts in a continuous drive to remove illegal fire and ammunition off the streets and communities.
“Let me remind the public that the offense of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition under the Firearms Act carries a penalty as follows on summary conviction of $20,000 or term of imprisonment not more than 15 years of both fine and imprisonment. On indictments it carries a term of imprisonment not exceeding 10 years,” he stated.
“Please stay away from illegal firearms and ammunition,” ASP Charles cautioned.
Kuddos to the police for doing their job.
However, I again say to the police if you really want to get guns off the streets there are five communities you all need to target relentlessly;
1.Grandbay and environs (its alleged every other house has a powpow..open secret)
2. Possie and environs
3. Calibishie and environs
4. St. Joseph and environs
5. Roseau central
Yes I said it! I can go to any of these communities today and buy a gun like is Sukies hot bread and quenchie. The police needs to establish a system where informants in these communities can be comfortable giving good information to officers in order to rid our streets of the guns.
On another note, the political environment thanks to DLP is so nasty, greedy, vindictive and unpredictable that some of the people feel they must have a powpow because they can see a revolution coming and needs it to protect their family. That will only change when there are changes at the top including the police chief!
Do we know whether this gun was involved in any of our unsolved gun related murders or how many murders were committed with this gun?
Do we know the means through this gun and the ammunitions got into Dominica?
So many unanswered questions in this single case.
I am so very concerned.