War Declared On The Importation Of Illegal Guns – Jamaica Customs Agency

Yardhype Staff WriterMarch 6, 2022

Commissioner of the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA), Velma Ricketts-Walker advised that the Agency has improved its internal processes which have contributed to the prevention of the importation of illegal firearms entering the country.

Since the start of March, the JCA has seized numerous illegal firearms intended to pass through the ports. These multiple seizures as disclosed by Ricketts-Walker are due to the improvements in technology and enforcement capabilities through investments aimed at ensuring that the borders are protected. She further stated that the Agency has “declared war on illegal guns and the perpetrators involved in this criminal activity”.

The Commissioner also added that the Agency has been working collaboratively with the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) in the “Get Every Illegal Gun” campaign. The JCA was formally brought into this campaign by Prime Minister Andrew Holness at the ground-breaking ceremony for a new Stony Hill Police Station in St. Andrew West Rural on February 24, 2022.

On Friday during a customs inspection, illegal firearms and contraband were discovered in concealed barrels at a warehouse in Kingston. It is reported that 18 pistols, three high-powered rifles, marijuana and methamphetamine were found.

Also a few days before, Custom Officers who were conducting routine cargo inspection seized 3 high-powered rifles, four 9 mm pistols, magazines and 16 rounds of ammunition in an import shipment at the Port of Montego Bay.