BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – An officer based at the Gingerland Police Station was yesterday (Nov. 27) remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP) after being charged for allegedly selling a firearm and a quantity of ammunition without the relevant licence or permit to do so.
According to information reaching this media house last evening, which was confirmed by Police Press and Public Relations Officer, Inspector Vaughan Henderson, Constable Jonathan Carbon of Dominica had sold the firearm and ammunition to a civilian residing on Nevis.
Last Friday (Nov. 20), police found a .38 Revolver and six matching rounds of ammunition in Farms Estate, Nevis and four persons [including one female] were taken into custody to assist with investigations.
The investigations led to the release of three of the four persons but Chase Hamilton of Gingerland was charged and subsequently remanded to HMP for illegal possession of an unlicenced firearm and ammunition.
SKNVibes also learnt that it is the same firearm and ammunition for which Constable Carbon was charged. He is one of the many foreign-recruited officers from the last two batches that joined the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force.
In response to the find being related to the three firearms and ammunition missing from the Gingerland Police Station, Inspector Henderson did not confirm or deny, but categorically stated that investigations into the matter are ongoing and further comments may jeopardise the successful process of same.
On the morning of Friday, October 9, 2009, three firearms and a quantity of ammunition were discovered missing from the Gingerland Police Station and the then Police Press and Public Relations Officer, Inspector Cromwell Henry, told SKNVibes that a number of officers were assisting with investigations.
“No stone will be left unturned in the Force’s efforts to recover the missing items and to find out how they disappeared, as well as to bring the perpetrator(s) to justice,” Henry said.
This statement was reiterated by the Head of the Criminal Investigation Department on Nevis, Inspector Hilroy Brandy, who added that “too many firearms are on the streets of the Federation and, with the addition of the three missing firearms, not only will the task of the police increase but also the danger to the general public we are mandated to protect”.
Since then, this media house has learnt from sources close to the Police Force that investigations have led to all officers at the Gingerland Police Station under suspicion. Sources also said that the High Command may seek outside assistance in the employment of polygraph tests, which each suspect would have to undergo.
SKNVibes contacted a number of senior officers to confirm the use of polygraph, but they all declined to do so. However, Assistant Commissioner Liburd neither confirmed nor declined, but stated that every possible avenue opened to the Force would be used in finding the weapons and ammunition as well as those responsible for their removal.
