Police in Bahamas seize over 5,000 rounds of ammunition and 25 guns hidden in appliances

NASSAU, Bahamas, CMC - Police in the Bahamas say one person is assisting their investigation after cops and customs officers seized 25 illegal firearms, 5,216 rounds of ammunition, and 49.6 pounds of marijuana concealed in appliances in a vehicle in western New Providence over the last weekend.

Commissioner of Police, Shanta Knowles, told a news conference that officers, acting on a tip from a credible source, stopped and searched the vehicle, which was carrying household appliances.

She said that during the search, the illegal weapons and drugs were found.

The top cop said that there were 24 packages of marijuana valued at US$198,400 and that two of the guns are revolvers, 11 are pistols, and 12 are rifles.

There were 29 magazines and 24 packages that contained the ammunition.

She said there were 240 rounds of .40 ammunition, 3,081 rounds of .9mm ammunition, 837 rounds of 7.62 ammunition, 50 rounds of .38 ammunition, and 143 rounds of .300 ammunition.

Knowles added that two of the magazines seized were drum magazines, which are able to hold multiple rounds of ammunition.

She said the appliances were imported and the Bahamas police are working with their counterparts from the United States to trace the guns found without serial numbers.

“We can’t give you the number of people we’re looking for as this investigation is still rather in the early stages, but we do have some ideas as to who we may be looking for,” Knowles said, adding that officers were happy to intercept the contraband, and warned individuals involved in such operations.

“We know that they came into our country illegally. We know that all of them are illegal items, and anything could have happened. They could have been sold, they could have been shared on the streets with those people who want to create fear and conduct unlawful activities.

“We just need for the public to see and for those who we may not have in custody to see that we got your guns, we have your marijuana, we have your ammunition, and my team will now be coming to look for you.”

Knowles urged the members of the public to continue sharing information with the police, saying, “We are working with every bit of information that the public shares with us.

“This is what happens when we have partnership with the public. The Royal Bahamas Police Force and all its officers will continue to work to protect the good people in our country.

“Those people who want to create fear, commit crimes, we will be out on the streets to get you, and we will put you before the courts whenever we get you,” she added.

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