Packing heat
Florida man reportedly lands at Sangster Int’l with 24 guns, 200 bullets
Published:Wednesday | December 4, 2024 | 12:09 AMAdrian Frater/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
A 42-year-old man of a Florida address in the United States was arrested at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St James, last Friday after two dozen firearms, some dismantled, and 200 rounds of ammunition were allegedly found in his luggage.
The man, whose name is being withheld pending charges, reportedly travelled to the island on a Jamaica passport.
A police officer familiar with the situation confirmed that the man was arrested, but said that as of late yesterday, he had not been formally charged.
“I am not at liberty to disclose any further information on that matter,” the cop added.
According to information in a police report, about 3 p.m. last Friday, during routine checks at the Customs Hall at the airport, the passenger underwent a baggage inspection after he disembarked from a Southwest Airlines flight from Florida.
A firearm wrapped in foil was initially discovered, according to the report. The Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division was called in, and a detailed search of the passenger’s luggage uncovered more weapons and ammunition.
A black suitcase labelled ‘Juicy Catoure’ was found to contain several items, including four pairs of shoes, each with a sock holding twenty-five .357 Magnum rounds of ammunition. The suitcase also contained black jeans concealing a Glock magazine, a DVR with multiple firearm components, and several metal objects resembling converter chips.
Another suitcase, marked ‘Highland Tactical’, contained a variety of firearm parts and accessories, including firearm slides, pistol barrels, and several pistols. It also held multiple magazines and ammunition trays.
In addition to the firearms, two black Visa debit cards and three mobile phones were found in the passenger’s possession.
While attempts by The Gleaner to get the police to comment on the find were met with tight lips, a former cop said the haul is significant, noting that the configuration of the weapons would suggest that they were to be handled by someone with intimate knowledge about guns.
“This is not your regular gun bust. There is a certain level of sophistication about this, and, if these weapons were destined for the criminal underworld, as it suspected, it clear that we have criminals out there with more than a passing knowledge about firearms,” the former lawman said. “This is extremely worrisome, and the authorities need to get to the bottom of this sooner than later.”