Twenty-two illegal guns and a large quantity of ammunition were seized at the wharf in Freeport, Montego Bay earlier today. National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang says he hopes Friday’s seizure will discourage others from trying to send guns to Jamaica through the ports.
“This kind of find, we are very happy to hear and we look forward to more, but not so much more. So those who are trying to bring them in stop the activity because whatever they do, we’ll find a way. The criminal mind is smart, but our police and security forces…are going to intercept and disrupt this type of activity,” he said while speaking to the media about the find.
A police operation involving detectives attached to the Freeport Police Station and customs officers is still carrying out searches at the wharf, where the firearms and assorted rounds were seized.
According to reports, shortly after 5 p.m., law enforcers were alerted to a suspicious container which had arrived at the wharf from a destination in the USA.
A search was conducted of the container, which resulted in the seizure of 21 Glock pistols, a Cobra revolver and ammunition.
Several persons including employees at the compound are being questioned in connection with the seizure.
Chang said while the Montego Bay port has proven a challenge for the security forces, they “are getting on top of it, and if we can get on top of it we can put a dent in the supply and certainly control the level of violence in the country.”
Chang revealed that the local authorities also received assistance from the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
The Jamaican government has been engaging US authorities on further measures that could be taken to stem the flow of illegal guns into Jamaica, with a focus on greater security measures at the ports including securing more scanners.
