Hundreds of Rounds Found in Luggage
Customs and Border Protection officers discovered hundreds of rounds of ammunition in two checked suitcases arriving on a flight to the U.S. Virgin Islands. The passenger identified as Kareem Casimir was arrested on a federal charge and released on a $10,000 unsecured bond after admitting ownership and failing to declare the ammunition.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers conducting routine X-ray inspections discovered hundreds of rounds of ammunition inside two checked suitcases that arrived on a recent flight to the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to court documents and reporting by Virgin Islands News Online.
One suitcase was tagged to a passenger identified as Kareem Casimir and the other to a travelling companion; both bags were linked to the same booking. After the bags were scanned, CBP placed them back on the conveyor for retrieval. When the two passengers collected the luggage they were pulled aside for secondary inspection, where officers opened the suitcases and found large quantities of ammunition.
Authorities say the suitcase assigned to Mr Casimir contained roughly 150 rounds of 9mm, 100 rounds of .40 and 50 rounds of .380 Auto ammunition. The companion’s bag reportedly held about 200 rounds of .223. An American Airlines gate agent told a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent that neither passenger had declared ammunition to the airline and neither suitcase bore the special carrier sticker that signals ammunition is being transported.
Under questioning, the travelling companion said the ammunition was purchased in Florida by Mr Casimir and that he intended to sell it after returning to the territory. Mr Casimir reportedly took ownership of the ammunition and confirmed it had not been declared to the airline or to the Virgin Islands Police Department.
He was arrested and charged federally with transporting ammunition on a common or contract carrier without written notice. Magistrate Alan Teague and was released on a $10,000 unsecured bond, court records show. What this means for BVI residents: airlines and federal authorities require that firearm parts and ammunition be properly declared, packaged and accompanied by written notice to carriers when transported.
Failure to follow these rules can result in federal charges in U.S. jurisdictions, and travellers bringing firearms or ammunition into or out of the British Virgin Islands must also follow BVI Police and Customs import and licensing rules. Residents planning to travel between the BVI, USVI and the continental U.S. should check airline policies and both jurisdictions’ laws and secure any necessary permits and documentation before travel.
The case highlights ongoing enforcement at ports of entry in the region and the need for vigilance by travellers. According to the reporting outlet, the details come from court documents and local reporting by Virgin Islands News Online.
Primary source: VINO