Roseau, Dominica (TDN)
Local residents in Dominica have called into question Police action following what many considered to be a botched investigation into the illegal importation of firearms into the country.
After being notified by US authorities that a barrel containing guns and ammunition along with groceries was headed to Dominica, local Police moved in and confiscated the barrel just two days after it arrived on the island’s main sea port.
Commissioner of Police Daniel Carbon then arranged a hastily announced news conference to tell the public of the seizure of twelve pistols, 860 rounds of ammunition and a 9 000 volt stun gun on October 2, 2016. He went on to say that the Police knew to whom the guns were addressed but refused to name any suspects or indicate when and if anyone will be charged.
Callers to local radio programs questioned why the Police were so quick to act and whether it would not have been more prudent to stake out the barrel and see who it was that was retrieving it. Others claimed a cover-up with many expressing fears that no one will ever be brought to justice after the seeming inexplicable behavior of the police.
Whatever the outcome it will be extremely difficult to gain a conviction locally since just having your name on a barrel is not sufficient proof of any gun trafficking.