Police in Turks & Caicos Islands say single firearm linked to 32 murders

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands, CMC – The police in the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI) have disclosed that advanced ballistic analysis has shown one firearm linked to at least 32 murders, highlighting the growing threat of organised crime in the territory.

Speaking at a recent press briefing, Commissioner of Police Edvin Martin said through “crime analysis, we have identified that as much as 32 murders, with ongoing analysis still being conducted, were associated with more than one person using the firearm. In certain circumstances, as many as three, four, five, six, and even seven cases of homicides have been ballistically linked to the same weapon.”

This revelation points to the involvement of multiple individuals in these crimes, indicating a concentrated and coordinated effort by a small group of offenders, he said.

Martin emphasised that, while there are many criminal issues in the Turks and Caicos Islands, the surge in homicides is primarily driven by a relatively small number of perpetrators.

The rise in homicides and other violent crimes has been attributed to a deadly combination of illegal immigration, drug trafficking, gun smuggling, and gang activity.

Martin warned that “a significant number of immigrants are coming into the country illegally, and with them come drugs, guns, and gangs,” creating a vicious cycle of crime that has proven difficult to break.

In response to the escalating crime wave, the police have launched “Operation MIGHT”, a comprehensive initiative aimed at suppressing criminal activity. Martin reported some progress, with a decline in overall crime since the operation began, offering a glimmer of hope in the ongoing fight against violence.

However, the shadow of unsolved cases continues to loom large.

At a press conference in June, Superintendent Dean Holden, Head of Crime, Safeguarding, and Public Protection, acknowledged the challenges in solving these cases.

“We don't have the same access to some of the forensic capabilities… and we're working on other areas of evidence recovery, including covert policing,” Holden explained.

Holden admitted that while the police often know who is responsible for the crimes, securing convictions in court remains a significant challenge.

Nevertheless, he emphasised that the police are proactively targeting known offenders to disrupt their activities and prevent further violence.

Martin stressed the urgent need for a unified response to curbing crime and violence in the TCI and called on law enforcement agencies, the government, and the community to work together to address the root causes of crime and restore peace to the islands.

“The community must play a critical role in this fight. It's not just about law enforcement; it's about addressing the factors that lead to these crimes in the first place,” Martin said.

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