Prime Minister Andrew Holness during his presentation at the recent United Nations General Debate 77th Session, called for greater collaboration from developed countries in securing the country’s borders from the influx of illegal guns.
This timely report, which points to a joint firearms operation between the International Police (INTERPOL) and the Caricom implementation agency for crime and security, which has led to the seizure of some three hundred and fifty (350) weapons, three thousand three hundred (3300) rounds of ammunition and record drug hauls across the Caribbean.
Dubbed Operation Trigger VII between September 24 to 30 saw officers from nineteen countries coordinate controls at airports, seaports, land borders and inland hotspots, guided by intelligence, pointing to organized crime groups and individuals involved in firearms trafficking. They also searched warehouses, inspected packages and carried out targeted checks at firearms dealerships, shooting ranges and private security companies.
The organization reports three hundred and fifty illegal guns were seized across sixteen Caribbean countries, including Jamaica. In addition, 12.6 tons of drugs were also seized, 1000.2 of which were seized in Jamaica.
CVM Live understands, of that 1000.2 kilograms, 500 was cocaine valued at 25 million dollars, and the remaining 500.2 was cannabis.
Reports are that Interpol’s Executive Director of Police Services Stephen Kavanagh highlighted that the results from the initiative are indicative of the first joint effort between Interpol and Caricom impacts against firearms.
He says investigations will continue, and as such, people can brace for more results to be yielded from the partnership.
