Trinidadians plead guilty in US to role in Caribbean arms trafficking ring

FLORIDA, (CMC):

Two Trinidadians were among three men who admitted to their roles in a Caribbean arms trafficking ring.

A statement issued on Thursday by United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, Roger B. Handberg disclosed that Jameal Kaia Phillip and Tevin OBrian Oliver, both 30, and Edward Soloman King III, 31, of Tampa, Florida, pleaded guilty to federal charges.

Some of the weapons had been seized at the Piarco International Airport in April 2021.

Oliver, who lived in Homestead, Florida, and Phillip pleaded guilty to conspiracy to smuggle goods from the United States and each face a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison.

King, who pleaded guilty to disposing of a firearm to an alien who had been admitted to The United States under a non-immigrant visa, faces up to 15 years in federal prison.

The three also agreed to forfeit various firearms, ammunition, and related items, which facilitated their crimes.

According to the plea agreements, Oliver, Phillip, and King were part of a ring that unlawfully exported firearms, firearms components – including upper/lower receivers and gun parts kits – and related items from Florida to Trinidad and Tobago between 2019 and 2022.

The firearms, which included pistols and long rifles, and related equipment were concealled within boxing/fight equipment, speakers, and other household items to avoid detection by law enforcement and customs authorities.

King helped the Trinidadian nationals acquire and transfer firearms in the Tampa area. Conspirators also acquired firearms 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.