BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – UNRELENTING in its quest to rid the Federation of all illegal firearms and stamp out the scourge of violence, the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force and other security agencies conducted a “sweep and stop and search” exercise on Friday last (June 5).
A police press release informs that Police Force members as well as Defence Force soldiers and members of the K-9 Unit conducted the searches at Westbourne Street, Lime Kiln and areas in between for “illegal drugs, arms and ammunition”.
Police have informed that several vacant lots, abandoned houses and cars were searched which resulted in three .22 rounds of ammunition being found in an abandoned house located on Fort Thomas Road. The ammunition was taken into police custody but no arrests were made on the find.
The press release informs that 20 persons were also stopped and searched during the operation “but nothing illegal was found”.
In March of this year, the Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr. the Hon. Denzil Llewellyn Douglas outlined a three-point crime-fighting plan which he immediately instituted. The first point is the institution of a $10 000 reward to anyone who provides “information leading to the arrest and trial of person or persons involved in recent homicides”, while the second point speaks to the institution of a monetary reward to any person giving information leading to the seizure of any firearm.
IN an exclusive interview with SKNVibes, Head of the Police Force’s Press and Public Relations Office, Inspector Cromwell Henry reminded of these points and entreated the public to assist the police in making St. Kitts-Nevis a safer place to live.
Persons having relevant information are invited to contact the Basseterre Police Station at 465-2241 or the nearest police station. Any information given will be treated with the strictest confidence.
“The Police continue to appeal for the co-operation of the general public in our efforts to combat the current spate of gun violence,” the press release implored.
Approximately 450 rounds of ammunition and 14 firearms have been removed from the Federation’s street for year.
