Trinidadians among three accused of Caribbean arms trafficking
Published:Wednesday | October 26, 2022 | 7:32 PM
TAMPA, Florida, CMC – Three people, including two Trinidadians, have appeared in a Florida court charged with conspiracy to smuggle goods, including firearms and firearm components, from the United States to the Caribbean country.
US attorney, Roger Handberg, said American Edward Soloman King III, 31, and Trinidadians, Tevin OBrian Oliver, 29, and Jameal Kaia Phillip 30, each face a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison if convicted of the charges.
They have been described as members of a Caribbean arms trafficking ring.
According to the indictment, Oliver, Phillip, and King were part of a ring that unlawfully exported firearms, firearm components and related items from Florida to Trinidad and Tobago between 2019 and 2022.
The firearms, which included pistols and rifles, and related equipment were concealed within boxing equipment, speakers, and other household items to avoid detection by law enforcement and customs authorities.
According to the indictment, the conspirators also acquired firearms in the Tampa area from different sellers through straw purchases, falsely representing the identities of the actual purchasers and recipients of the firearms, as well as their ultimate destination.
On April 7, 2021, Oliver shipped a package concealing and containing various firearms and related equipment, including a Taurus G2C 9mm pistol, an SAR Arms SAR-9 9mm pistol, a Taurus G3 9mm pistol, and a Ruger Security-9 9mm pistol, from Miami to Trinidad and Tobago.
On April 22, 2021, authorities at the Piarco International Airport in Trinidad seized the items concealed in the shipment.
King was arrested and made his initial appearance in federal court in the Middle District of Florida on Tuesday while Phillip was arrested and made his initial appearance in federal court in the Southern District of Florida the same day.
Oliver was arrested and made his initial appearance in federal court in the Southern District of Florida on Thursday.
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