Gun-related crimes continue to be a major problem in Dominica, and according to the Director of Public Prosecutions Sherma Dalrymple, police have started charging individuals for firearms trafficking.
She made the statement during the ‘Legal Affairs & You’ Program aired on State-Owned Radio DBS recently.
“Section 26: ( a) was an amendment that was passed since 2013. This amendment speaks to someone being fined $700,000 and 25 years imprisonment or both, so this is a very serious offense,” she said. “And why we started charging for firearms trafficking is that we noted that there were individuals who were being intercepted with more than one firearm.”
Dalrymple continued, “And based on the facts and circumstances of these matters is either: the firearms were being brought into the Commonwealth of Dominica or on their way to transit to neighboring islands.”
Furthermore, she explained that this fits into the scenario of trafficking in firearms, “so we started charging for these offenses. We were no longer giving them the simple possession charges. To me, it went out of the realm of simple possession.”
Dalrymple also clarified that simple possession is being caught with one firearm without having a valid license.
“Being caught with several firearms and ammunition, let’s say they [are’] intercepted on the way to Dominica at a port or they’re intercepted on their way out at a beach in the night. So we started to charge for the trafficking in firearms,” she reiterated.
Additionally, Dalrymple explained that an attempt to commit the offense, according to Dominica’s laws, is the same as committing the offense.
“So, if someone attempts to bring in the firearms at the port and they’re intercepted, they’re stopped, or the firearms are on their way out of Dominica, but the individual is intercepted on the beach or in a vehicle with the firearms, we can still charge for the substantive offence, but it will be an attempt to commit trafficking in firearms and you still get the same sentence,” she explained.
it has always been illegal so this headline makes no sense. how can u now start charging?
What is the point?
We all know that the prosecution of offences in Dominica has come down to who does it.
The DPP should update us on the “blue barrel” situation and other such incidents.
Justice cannot continue to be blind towards one set, and ready to mash up another. Tanto, tanto
These so called legal professionals working for Skerrit (Not the Govt. Of Dca) are so ahhasse kissing and allegedly corrupt, no one trusts them. I can attest to the hidden capabilities of our current DPP but my god she has gone astray. How did a darling of the legal profession became a mere mockery and laughing stock still troubles many in her circles today. God help us all.
As soon as the amnesty announcement was made I gave the police information on at least two unlicensed fire arms and the names of the people involved. I wonder if police ever went to them for a search or if they sold me out to those known traffickers from a very popular constituency, in the north, that’s busy doing dirty work for top ranking corrupt politicians
POLICE PELTING STONES,does not even know it’s not the first time police pelting stones,go,ask ole police if he really is an old police.As if police pelting stones is something new.
@the clown
Your buffoon and dimwit, this is not the topic of discussion.
your sot.
Lin Clown the things you write make me conclude that you are perpetually inebriated. Stay far from the liquor.
Has anyone been charged $700 000 and 25 years imprisonment?
If not, why is it on the book?