Virgin Gorda Teen and Mount Healthy Man
A 17-year-old boy from Virgin Gorda and a 25-year-old man from Mount Healthy have been charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives after separate incidents last month. Both individuals were remanded to His Majesty’s Prison as the BVI Police continue to crack down on illegal weapons within the territory.
In a recent crackdown on illegal firearms in the British Virgin Islands, a 17-year-old boy from Virgin Gorda and a 25-year-old Mount Healthy man have been arrested and charged in separate gun seizures, according to police announcements on August 1. The Virgin Gorda teenager, residing in North Sound, faces charges of carrying a firearm without a license and unlawful possession of explosives.
This arrest followed the July 17 seizure of a loaded Glock 19 pistol after police responded to reports of 'suspicious activity' in Road Town. The teenager was one of two boys apprehended during the operation, though further details of the incident or the reasons for the delayed announcement of charges have not been disclosed.
In a separate incident, Malachy Payne, a 25-year-old resident of Mount Healthy, was charged with keeping a firearm without a license and unlawful possession of explosives. His arrest came after a stop-and-check operation in the Huntums Ghut area led to the recovery of a firearm and ammunition.
The exact date of this seizure and further specifics were not provided by the police. Both individuals have been remanded to His Majesty’s Prison as investigations continue. These charges are part of a larger effort by the BVI Police to rid the territory of illegal firearms and ammunition.
By mid-July, the police had already recovered 14 firearms and 995 rounds of ammunition for the year. Additional weapons were seized during the August Emancipation Festival season, emphasizing the ongoing battle against illegal armament in the BVI. The BVI Police are intensifying their efforts to combat this issue and are calling on the public to assist by reporting any information related to illegal weapons or suspicious activities.
Citizens can contact the Police Intelligence Unit directly or report information anonymously through Crime Stoppers. This collaborative approach between law enforcement and the community is crucial for maintaining safety and security across the islands. The recent arrests underscore the police's commitment to this cause and the importance of public cooperation in these efforts.