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JAM | Feb 19, 2024

Still no charges for two held in major gun seizure at Kingston port

Vanassa McKenzie

Vanassa McKenzie / Our Today

Reading Time: 2 minutes
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Fitz Bailey addressing media personnel at an August 2, 2022 Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) press briefing. (Photo contributed)

The police are yet to lay charges against the two men who were taken into custody following the seizure of several illegal firearms and ammunition at the Port of Kingston on Friday, February 16.

This is according to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Fitz Bailey.

A joint operation by members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Branch (C-TOC) and the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) resulted in the seizure of 64 assorted 9mm pistols, 965 9-mm rounds of ammunition and 107 magazines were reportedly discovered concealed within a shipment originating from the United States.

“This re-enforces the importance of collaboration and interdependency and that’s what we have been doing as a group law enforcement agencies. We are getting better at our collaboration and I want to express our gratitude for the level of support that we are getting from the Jamaica Customs [Agency] during our investigations, especially into firearm trafficking,” Bailey said.

JCF Photo

“The firearms actually came from the United States of America and oftentimes we hear about the problem of violence, especially gun violence and murder in Jamaica. I want to make an appeal to the Jamaican citizens who actually are creating the significant problem that we have in Jamaica. They are the one who are sending the firearm and I am appealing the diaspora to engage the citizen and encourage them to desist from this type of destructive activity that is actually preventing them from coming to Jamaica to enjoy the paradise that we have,” he added.

The two individuals were taken into custody as a result of the operation.

Just a few days ago, another operation conducted by the JCF and JCA led to the seizure of several illegal firearms at the Freeport Warehouse in Montego Bay, St James on Friday, February 9, originating from Florida.

The police are still seeking a person of interest who they believe can assist them in their ongoing investigation. He is known only as CJ, Fugitive or Shippy.

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DCP Fitz Bailey gun seizure Kingston wharf

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