BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – FAMILY members of two of the four individuals charged with possession of firearm, ammunition and cannabis are adamant that the police did not state the facts of their find and are misleading the public.
Speaking with SKNVibes, a close relative of Richie Henry and Delvin Benjamin said: “I am not swearing for my two relatives. If they are involved in criminal activities then they must pay the price for their actions. But what is of grave concern to us, is that the police have misled the public when they said that they found the guns, ammunition, ganja and other items on the premises of my relatives. It was published on your website and the Commissioner also made that statement on ZIZ television.
“We know that what they are saying is untrue and there are witnesses who saw what transpired on that morning. This matter is similar to the many cases where people were arrested and charged for offences the police claimed they did, only to appear in court and have the matters thrown out because of the lack of incriminating evidence. However, regardless of the targeted victims of the police being acquitted, there is a cost; a cost to their reputation and monies that have to be found to pay the lawyers. Another point of note is the stigma attached to my relatives and the two young women.”
Last week a press release from the Police Public Relations Department stated that Nichole Henry, Shantel Charles, Richie Henry and Delvin Benjamin, all of whom reside in Molineux, were arrested and charged for being in possession of three firearms, more than 100 rounds of ammunition and a quantity of cannabis sativa.
The release categorically stated that a joint operation was launched on Saturday (Oct. 26) on the premises of the four accused by members of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force and Her Majesty’s Customs and Excise Department’s Enforcement Division.
It also stated that the operation was intelligence and surveillance-driven with assistance from Crime Stoppers, which led to the execution of search warrants on the premises of the four arrested individuals.
Additionally, it stated that the search realised a find of one M16 Assault Rifle, one DPMS Assault Rifle, both of which have a maximum effective range of 460 metres; one CZ-52 Pistol that has a maximum effective range of 50-70 metres; 103 rounds of ammunition; one BSA Red Dot Scope, which is used to enhance vision in dark areas and can be mounted on rifles and handguns; one three-in-one oil, which is a general-purpose lubricating oil that can be used to prevent corrosion of firearms.
However, this publication was invited to the residence of the accused persons, which is situated at Bamboo Terrace in Molineux, and was shown documents with nine charges for each of the individuals.
Each document stated that they were charged with having in their possession: two .32 rounds of ammunition; 113 rounds of 5.56 ammunition; one CZ52 Semi-automatic Pistol; one DPMS Panther 5.56 M16 Assault Rifle, with serial number F057822K; one Colt M16 Assault Rifle; a certain controlled drug, to wit portions of the plant cannabis, for the purpose of supplying it to another; a certain controlled drug, to wit portions of the plant cannabis; a certain controlled drug, to wit portions of the plant cannabis, for the purpose of supplying it to another; and a certain controlled drug, to wit portions of the plant cannabis.
They were charged with two counts each for the controlled drug.
On the premises, SKNVibes observed a two-bedroom house with the northern and western sides of the land fenced, while the eastern side (or rear) was unfenced and only half of the southern side was fenced with tall zinc sheets. And the empty lots on the northern and eastern sides of the premises are heavily infested with tall grass.
While at the premises, the close relative of the two men had summoned two young men who live in the area. Together they led us on the empty lots and pointed out an area within the grass where they claimed that the police had found the illegal items and another area upon which the items were placed and photographed.
“The police did not find anything in the house or on the premises,” the relative said, adding, “They came with a warrant, searched the house and within the yard but nothing was found. However, when they found the guns in the grass…they claimed that they belong to my relatives. One could have seen the track they made from where they found the guns to the area where they were placed and photographed. The area within which the guns were found is accessible by foot to anyone in Bamboo Terrace.
“Therefore, if the guns were not found on my relatives’ premises, why did the police charge them? If they said that the operation was based on intelligence and surveillance, why didn’t they stake out the area and apprehend the owners when they would have gone there for whatever reason? I am subject to correction, but when conducting a surveillance, isn’t it wise to photograph the movements of the suspect? This matter and many others lead me to conclude what the people are saying is true…‘The police arrest, charge and then investigate.’”
The relative said that in addition to the Bamboo Terrace premises, the police had also searched the home of Benjamin’s mother, who cooperated with them, but they did not find any illegal items there.
This media house was informed that Nichole Henry and Delvin Benjamin share one of the bedrooms with their son, while Shantel Charles and Richie Henry share the other.
SKNVibes was also told that on Friday morning (Nov. 1) the four accused had appeared at the District ‘B’ Magistrate’s Court in Sandy Point to seek bail, but same was not granted.
