Two charged in Festival firearm seizures
Two men are facing charges after police seized firearms during the recent Emancipation Festival celebrations last week, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) said.
On August 2, police arrested Miguel Weekes, 32, of West End, in a targeted operation. Officers had watched him and approached him outside a nightclub. They allegedly found “a Glock 9mm semi-automatic pistol and 10 rounds of 9mm ammunition” on him.
Later, on August 4, they arrested Kei-Andre Williams, 22, of Macnamara, during the Rise and Shine tramp. Police allegedly discovered a “Glock 40 semi-automatic pistol loaded with seven .40 calibre rounds of ammunition” on Williams.
Both men have been charged with carrying a firearm without a licence and unlawful possession of explosives. They remain in police custody, awaiting their next court date.
Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline Vanterpool said that the action was part of ongoing efforts to keep the public safe during the festival.
“We continue to take decisive action to remove illegal firearms from our streets, particularly during the festival period when large crowds gather,” she stated. Vanterpool commended officers for their vigilance and urged the public to stay alert and report any suspicious activity to help maintain a secure environment.
Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture Luce Hodge Smith had previously reassured residents that, despite rising gun crime, the territory remains safe for both residents and visitors during the August Emancipation Festival. She explained that the RVIPF and private security would be on site at festival venues.
“One gun crime is too many, and we have had quite a bit of gun crimes in our community — a little too often,” she said.
The recent firearm seizures follow earlier operations in March and beyond, where the RVIPF recovered multiple firearms and arrested individuals, underpinning growing concern about gun safety in the territory. The public is encouraged to share information via Crime Stoppers or the RVIPF Intelligence Unit.
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DEPORT UM ASAP
Priceless pics ……
Thanks for the names and mug shots of these societal
imported menace.
To whom do we deserve this ..keep it up!
Young Black males with ties to the CARICOM virus
via parentage and or birthplace.
The preferred by import and installation building blocks of a new and revised VI by the Gov of these VI.
Reason and logic understandably has created doubts of intent regarding the VI local Government members,their knowledge and r participation in the illicit trade of illegal drug,firearms,human trafficking et al .
You know our leaders Travel and it appears as if they dont show up to any meetings. In Antigua if you get caught with a Gun you Automatically go straight to prison for x amount of years. You dont even see a Judge. after time serve you see a judge for the crime committed. Tola need to implement that Law to detour these Gun slingers in our Country that is developing to be a huge problem later.
The man dem have beef and needs to protect themselves are clearly the reason here, but a gun cannot save anyone and it needs to be taken out of society but thanks to Andrew and his many rodeos it is a norm to society …
scumbags..again