BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Commissioner of Police, Austin Williams, has sought to clear the air on a controversial article published by the St. Kitts Nevis Observer Newspaper in which he is quoted as laying blame for the importation of illegal firearms and ammunition at the feet of the Customs Department and or its personnel.
The Sheena Brookes-penned article, headlined “Commissioner Suspects Customs of Gun Smuggling”, was published on September 25, 2009 and quoted the Commissioner as saying, “I can’t pinpoint anybody or anytime but it has always been my belief that most of the illegal firearms coming into the country come through our air and sea ports. Before the incident at the airport, I had raised concerns with the Comptroller of Customs that I believe illegal firearms are coming through the ports. They didn’t believe me and then the week after they intercept the six firearms at the airport.”
The article caused quite a stir at the Customs Department and its content rejected by Assistant Comptroller of Customs with responsibility for Port Operations, Terry Adams. Adams gave an exclusive interview to this media house, during which he opined that the Commissioner, having these suspicions, ought to have approached the Comptroller of Customs rather than disclosing that information to the media.
Late yesterday afternoon (Oct. 2), the Commissioner, through his Press and Public Relations Office, issued an official statement on the issue in which he informed that the article printed in the Observer is not only false but misleading.
“An article appeared in the Friday 25th September 2009 edition of the Observer Newspaper, under the caption ‘Commissioner Suspects Customs of Gun Smuggling’. This article is false, misleading and a total misrepresentation of my comments. At no time during the interview did I accuse or implied that the Customs Department was involved in the illegal importation of guns in the Federation, but rather indicated my strong belief that one of the points of entry of these items is through our legal ports.”
The release further states that the article caused more harm than good and admonished media practitioners to be more responsible in the execution of their duties.
“This article does nothing to aid law enforcement in its quest to rid our Federation of the scourge of illegal guns, but rather create division among the agencies responsible for our safety and security. I therefore implore the press to be more responsible in their reporting and to always uphold the highest standards of journalism.”
At the close of his statement, the Commissioner assured that the police force continues to work in conjunction with the Customs Department “and is currently seeking ways to improve relations and strengthening the bonds between us”.
