Two 18-year-olds were arrested and charged after police discovered illegal firearms during an operation carried out in the early hours of Friday morning in the Diamond Estate area, according to the Police Information Office.
Jahvin Chinnery, of Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke, and Yrvin Stephens, of Lower Estate, were both charged with keeping a firearm without a licence; unlawful possession of a prohibited firearm; and two counts of unlawful possession of explosives in connection with 34 rounds of ammunition, police said in a Monday press release.
“The charges stem from an incident in which officers on mobile patrol stopped a vehicle and conducted a search that led to the recovery of two Glock pistols and ammunition,” the release stated. “Both men remain in custody pending their appearance before the Magistrates’ Court.”
Acting Police Commissioner Jacqueline Vanterpool praised her officers’ vigilance. “Illegal firearms have no place in the Virgin Islands, and we will continue to take decisive action against those who choose to possess them,” she said.
Police are asking anyone who may have information that could assist their investigations to contact their Intelligence Unit at 368-9339 or the anonymous Crime Stoppers tip line at 800-8477 (TIPS).
