The opposition party in Jamaica seeks answers from the government regarding the recent seizure in Miami of an illegal arms shipment of guns and ammunition headed to Jamaica.
Gun and ammunition seizure
The opposition People’s National Party (PNP) is calling for a swift investigation into the seizure of more than 100 illegal firearms at the Miami International Airport that was destined for Jamaica.
Corporate Communications Unit of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) said that a major multi-agency transnational investigation was now under way by the JCF and their United States’ law enforcement counterparts following the seizure.
National Security Minister, Robert Montague, confirmed the seizure took place last month. He said it was the result of joint intelligence operations between Jamaican and American law enforcement agencies.
Troubling
The minister told the Jamaica Gleaner the cache of weapons discovered was troubling. “Is someone preparing for war? How many more shipments are there? Who is paying for these arms? And for what purpose? Is someone planning to challenge the State? Who should get them? These are questions each one of us needs to ask,” Montague said.
In a statement, the PNP said it’s aware of what it described as “uncorroborated information” circulating on social media linking a former PNP councilor to the crime.
But the party noted that the former councilor has indicated that the person who is now the focus of the investigation left his employment some three months ago.
Urging swift investigation
The PNP said although the reports have nothing to do with the party, it is nevertheless “urging a swift investigation by both the local and US law enforcement agencies to determine the veracity and culpability of individuals in this extremely serious matter”.
The guns and more than 200 assorted rounds of ammunition were discovered by US Customs and Border Protection (CBT) and Outbound Enforcement Team (OET) at the Miami airport on November 13.
The Jamaica Observer newspaper reported that the guns were destined for Montego Bay, St James, which has recorded over 300 murders so far this year.
The weapons – four rifles and 115 pistols – were found in two blue shipping barrels, declared as “personal effects”.
