10 illegal guns in 11 months | What happens after recovery
By Davion Smith, BVI News Staff
Have you ever wondered what happens to illegal guns after local law enforcement recover them?
Here in the British Virgin Islands, Commissioner of Police Michael Matthews has made it clear that the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has no interest in repurposing or reusing the weapons.
After a gun is recovered, it is stored in police custody to be used as evidence for any criminal proceedings.
“All firearms seized are forensically examined and logged on our database. Once no longer required as evidence, we would supervise the destruction of any firearm and ammunition to ensure their permanent disposal,” Commissioner Matthews told BVI News.
The RVIPF has made a notable number of gun busts since the start of this year.
Statistics from the police department have indicated that a total of 10 illegal guns have been seized in the territory for 2018.
Where are they coming from?
Commissioner Matthews said intelligence suggests that these illegal weapons are being smuggled in the territory in small private boats or smuggled in personal baggage.
“Our porous borders and the geography of the islands in general means this is challenging to police effectively.”
“We are pursuing a number of lines of inquiry around the illegal smuggling of such firearms into the territory,” he said.
Matthews continued: “We continue to regularly undertake joint intervention and search operations with Customs, Immigration and ports security to send a clear message that we intend to target those who selfishly choose to place our communities at risk from the use of an illegal firearm.
This, he said, will include regular searches of public and private vessels arriving in the territory.
In the meantime, residents are being urged to work with police to help stamp out the smuggling trade.
“A piece of intelligence or information no matter how small could prevent your community being the next location that a smuggled firearm is discharged,” the top cop said.
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The same way you supervisor the distraction of the illegal bike n the whole trailer had disappeared … #resold
effort law enforcement on the gun issue, but many know that not enough is being done that could be done.
For example, not one gun and or suspect is ever detained from a member of our segregated communities, when we know that members of that community have freedom of the seas, access to yachts, power boats and “big” cash, and that where there is opportunity, money will be invested.
We also believe that there are huge cashes of guns and ammunition stored at their premises and on various boats and yachts, but we never hear of a seizure or arrest.
Why not Law enforcement? That is but one source of illegal activity that goes unchallenged. Why?
Keen observers want to know!
What segregated community are you talking about?
Hoping that illegal guns will disappear from our islands is delusion. Yes, police should enforce current laws but law makers need to face the facts. Disarmed law abiding, private citizens only leaves them totally defenseless against those with illegal guns. Citizens cannot rely on a small police force to protect every citizen and family at every hour. Self protection is our right. Proper training, oversite and licensing should be instituted. Guns and violence are only increasing. The only thing that hadn’t changed is our right to legally own a firearm to protect ourselves.
Alot of officers know where these are coming from.
Hint-Nobody suspects trailer load of clothes coming in.Lets be real, who smuggle more guns than arabs.But hey,the pay off/bribery is fulfilling.
Plus =, what about the knock off goods that they sell. You know that is illegal in america (right).Think about it. Guns, Drugs etc. Who Has easy accesss to bring these in. Its not Rocket Science FOLKS.Just dont be blind sheeple
let us hope that the Government of the BVI has it’s BETTER ANGELS WORKING FOR THE FUTURE OF THE ISLAND AND IT’S PEOPLE AND THE FUTURE!!
Where is the electronic scanner at the ports in Road Town and West End? Precisely how much could that cost? Are they more expensive than the number of lives we have lost to illegal firearms?
However and What ever method was used in the past eliminate the FLOOD – As we know just one is one too many. BVI Islanders need to feel safe as it was once before. Give a SAFE BVI a BIG CHANCE AGAIN. The damage DONE let us move FORWARD and ERASE THIS UGLY STAIN. TAKE A BETTER LOOK WHO ARE BEING GRANTED AN OPPORTUNITY ENTRY TO COME AND BRING DOWN THIS SHINING PARADISE.
WE ARE ALL LOOKING FOR A BETTER FUTURE FOR ALL IN THE BVI – PEACE AND HARMONY – LET US MARCH TO THAT DRUMMER.
SAFTEY – PEACE – HAPPINESS. MAKE PEACE WIN!!!
The BVI is Truly Wished and Wanted Destination for ALL – If the BVI wants to continue to be that Shining Star for what it has to OFFER then it needs to CLEAN UP IT’S YARD. The problem that is raising it UGLY HEAD – RAKE OUT THE DIRTY WEEDS MASHING UP THE PLACE. THOSE WHO DON’T WANT TO ABIDE SEND BACK TO DISTROY THEIR OWN.
TAKE THE DIRT BACK A YARD.
LEAVE MA YARD CLEAN, PRESTINE AND CLEAN
BVI ISLANDERS/BELONGER ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR STANDARDS – KEEP YOUR STANDARDS FOR THOSE TO WALK BEHIND – SET THE EXAMPLE – ALWAYS SET THE EXAMPLE!
CLEANLINESS – SAFTEY – SAFTEY MEANS GROWTH FOR BVI ISLANDERS/BELONGERS.
DO WHAT EVER IT TAKES TO KEEP THE BVI SHINING – SHINING AND ALWAYS SHINING FOR OUR FUTURE!!!