News

The Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force has announced the seizure of a significant cache of illegal firearms and ammunition, underscoring a renewed effort to dismantle gun trafficking syndicates and reduce violent crime on the island.

Between January 23 and June 14, authorities intercepted 42 firearms and 220 rounds of ammunition at the island’s ports of entry. Among those weapons were two high-powered AR-15 rifles, which Acting Police Chief Lincoln Corbette described as "weapons of war... equivalent to the M16 carried by soldiers."

In addition to the port seizures, police operations across the country resulted in the confiscation of seven more firearms and 69 rounds of ammunition from suspected criminals, bringing the total for the year to 49 firearms and 289 rounds removed from circulation.

“These weapons could have been pointed at anyone in the state,” Acting Chief Corbette said during a press conference. “They are no longer available to criminals to commit harm.”

Twenty-one individuals have been arrested in connection with the seizures, seven of whom have already been convicted and fined by the courts. The remaining cases are still pending.

The Acting Chief of Police reiterated a stern warning to those in illegal possession of firearms. “We will be searching homes, breaking down doors if we have to, to rid the streets of illegal weapons,” he declared. He urged citizens to report knowledge of illegal firearms to trusted officers or through Crime Stoppers, emphasizing that the success of current operations has largely been due to public cooperation.

Minister for National Security and Legal Affairs, Hon. Rayburn Blackmoore, echoed the urgency of the situation and praised the coordinated work of the Police Force, Customs, and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).

“There is clearly a syndicate at work,” Minister Blackmoore stated. “And we are committed to dismantling it, working in concert with regional and international partners.”

He revealed that the government had invested over EC$2.7 million in the procurement and installation of high-tech scanners at all ports of entry, including Portsmouth’s Longhouse port. These scanners, funded through the Asset Forfeiture Fund managed by the FIU, have been instrumental in detecting illegal firearms and components.

“We are using the criminals’ own money to fight crime,” Blackmoore noted. “That is justice in action.”

Minister Blackmoore also called on the judiciary to uphold the full weight of the law in dealing with firearms offenses, reminding the public that trafficking in illegal firearms carries a penalty of up to 25 years in prison or a fine of $700,000.

As part of a broader national security strategy, the Minister announced plans to expand coast guard presence in strategic locations and to further invest in border surveillance and community policing. He appealed to citizens, churches, schools, and community leaders to work with law enforcement.

“This country belongs to all of us,” he said. “The issue of illegal firearms is not about politics or religion. It’s about protecting our peace and preventing a societal nightmare.”

Both the Acting Police Chief and Minister Blackmoore urged parents and guardians to act if they suspect their children are harboring illegal weapons. “Surrender them before we come looking,” the Police Chief warned.