Police seize gun in ongoing operations
By Terresa McCall
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
~~Adz:Right~~ BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE number of firearms removed from the streets of the Federation continues to rise with the most recent success occurring four days ago.
A press release informs that on Monday, November 17, 2008 police officers were “conducting patrol operations in the Basseterre area and several areas were searched for illegal drugs, arms and ammunitions and one Smith and Wesson 9 mm Pistol along with nine rounds of ammunition and a large quantity of marijuana were found in an abandoned property”.
The release further informs that the items, including the drugs which carry a street value of EC$3 000, were taken into police custody and two persons are said to be assisting them with investigations.
The number of illegal firearms seized by the police for the year totals 32 and the number of seized ammunition exceeds 1600.
On the same day, operations were conducted in the Mansion area and “150 marijuana plants…which ranged from seedlings to one foot in height…were found growing in a plastic container in an abandoned building”.
No one had been held answerable for the find and the plants were taken into police custody.
Previous operations resulted in two quantities of marijuana being found and one person was arrested and slapped with a drug-related charge.
“Routine stop and search operations were conducted by Police between the areas of Old Road to Phillips Village on Friday 14th November 2008 for illegal drugs, arms and ammunition and several persons and vehicles were stopped and searched” and, resultantly, Molineaux resident Troy Romney was charged with possession of cannabis. Police have informed that a search revealed that he was “carrying a quantity of marijuana”.
A total of 143 individuals and 97 vehicles were stopped and searched during other operations conducted by members of the security forces. The operations were conducted in the Basseterre and Frigate Bay areas from November 14 to November 16.
“…a quantity of marijuana was found while conducting a search but no one was held accountable for the find. The drugs were taken into custody. In addition, one person was arrested for immigration purposes,” the release said.
