Published 29 September 2018
Buckie Got It, St. Kitts and Nevis News Source
FIREARMS, AMMUNITION REMOVED FROM SHADWELL COMMUNITY
Basseterre, St. Kitts, September 29, 2018 (RSCNPF): A two-day search operation in the Shadwell community and its environs has resulted in three (3) more illegal firearms being removed from our streets.
The find occurred during operations led by the St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF) which were undertaken on Friday and Saturday (September 28 & 29). On Friday, in a bushy area, the soldiers found a vehicle that was later confirmed by the Police as having been stolen on September 20, 2018 from a parking lot in West Farm. The Police were contacted and several units responded. A further search of the area revealed a Scooter and two firearms – one (1) Taurus .38 Special Revolver and one (1) Smith and Wesson 44 Magnum Revolver. Both weapons were loaded with several rounds of ammunition. Other items of evidential value were also found and taken into police custody. Technicians from the Forensic Services Unit processed the area and items.
The SKNDF continued their search of the surrounding area on Saturday (September 29) where the firearms were found. During that operation, they discovered a Zastava AK-47-type rifle, an empty magazine and twenty-seven (27) rounds of 7.62 ammunition. Additionally, 3,387 Cannabis plants were uprooted and taken into custody. The plants ranged from seedling to nine (9) feet in height. The weapons were all taken into Police custody and will be analysed by the Forensic Services Unit.
This brings the total number of firearms taken off the streets of our communities for the year so far to 33.
On Saturday, Lieutenant Colonel (Lt. Col.) Commander of the SKNDF, Anthony Comrie, said, “I would like to commend the soldiers on a successful operation and remind the public of the SKNDF’s commitment to their safety and security.”
The SKNDF has been a part of several critical joint operations with the Police and have been an important source of support during patrols for several years. In August, some soldiers were given policing powers that will last for a six-month period in order to further assist in the crime-fighting efforts currently underway. As a result of recent violent activity, the SKNDF has had a sustained presence in the Shadwell area.
