Police reported seizing two high-powered rifles and a pistol last week in two separate incidents, but no charges had been reported as of Beacon press time yesterday afternoon.
On June 24, officers acting on “specific intelligence” attempted to stop a Kia Soul in the Johnsons Ghut area, according to a police press release issued last Thursday.
After seeing the officers, the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot, police said.
During a search of the abandoned car, officers seized two prohibited firearms — a Micro Draco 7.62-calibre rifle and a 5.56-calibre rifle equipped with a silencer — along with a “significant amount” of ammunition, the release stated.
Police added that they were working to identify and locate the driver, but they did not provide the suspect’s description or any other information about the incident.
Pistol seized
Two days later, officers conducting a “stop-and-check operation” in the Huntums Ghut area searched a vehicle and found a 0.40-calibre pistol with several rounds of 0.40-calibre ammunition, the release stated.
They said they also found and seized “several items suspected to have been stolen.”
During the operation, three male suspects were arrested, and they remained in police custody while the investigation continued as of last Thursday, police said.
This week, however, Police Information Officer Akia Thomas-Nero did not respond to a request for an update on the trio’s status.
Commish
Police Commissioner Mark Collins commended the officers for the seizures.
“These recoveries highlight the relentless commitment of our officers to ensure the safety and security of the Virgin Islands,” he said. “We will continue to act on intelligence and conduct operations to remove illegal firearms from our streets.”