More guns, ammo seized entering Jamaica from US
Close to 150 guns, 8,000 rounds of ammunition held since December
Published:Sunday | March 23, 2025 | 9:58 PMAndre Williams/Staff Reporter -
Over the past four months, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) seized 148 illegal firearms and approximately 8,000 assorted rounds shipped from the United States (US) to legitimate ports of entry.
During that time, there have been at least three major gun busts at wharves in Kingston.
Various courier entities operate at these wharves,, but those used by smugglers have not been identified in the authorities’ reports.
In the most recent find on Tuesday, the police listed the location as a ‘warehouse’ on Marcus Garvey Drive, where several such establishments are located.
In a release to the public yesterday, the JCF indicated that as the crackdown continues on the illegal trafficking of firearms, a joint operation by members of the JCA and the Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division (FNID) resulted in the seizure of 30 firearms and more than 100 rounds of ammunition at the warehouse.
“The operation unfolded about 4:45 p.m. when the joint team was conducting security screenings and intercepted a shipment. During the search, the following illegal items were found: 24 pistols, six rifles, 32 magazines, and 102 rounds of ammunition,” the JCF said.
Senior Superintendent of Police Samuel Blake, the head of the FNID, said the police have been ramping up efforts with various stakeholders to disrupt the trafficking of weapons and illegal drugs in Jamaica.
“Every firearm seized is a victory for the JCF and Jamaica. We continue our relentless work to find individuals seeking to curtail the JCF’s violence-reduction efforts,” said Blake. “We continue to leverage our partnership with international bodies to dismantle crime syndicates.”
The JCF said a probe was under way to determine and apprehend those responsible for the latest shipment.
This is the second such seizure this year as members of the JCA and the FNID seized 66 firearms and 4,700 rounds of ammunition in Newport West, Kingston, on February 17.
A Jamaican-American citizen was charged in relation to that shipment.
On December 11, 2024, another cache was found, and a final count for the weapons discovered in five barrels at a wharf in Kingston revealed that 52 guns were hidden in the shipment from the United States, which was labelled ‘groceries’ and ‘clothing’.
The JCA revealed that there were 50 assorted pistols in the shipment, two rifles, 2,992 assorted rounds of ammunition, and 61 assorted magazines.
Other illegal items in the shipment were a rifle barrel, two rifle buttstocks, one rifle grip, a rifle iron front-sight post, 12 rifle accessories, four pistol slides, and three pistol lower receivers.
In February, the JCA issued a warning to gun smugglers, stating that its successful interdictions underscore the agency’s relentless pursuit of national security and its ongoing efforts to disrupt the illegal arms trade.
“These seizures come after Jamaica Customs assumed full responsibility for non-intrusive cargo inspections in July 2024. With enhanced oversight, advanced cargo inspection technology, and intelligence-driven strategies, the agency has significantly strengthened its ability to detect and prevent illicit shipments,” the JCA said last month.
The JCA said the latest interceptions highlight the effectiveness of the its modern inspection systems and the diligence of its team.
“With cutting-edge cargo inspection technology and collaboration with local and international law enforcement, our message is clear: ‘Send food and not weapons. If you attempt to smuggle weapons through our ports, we will find them’.”
The latest bust adds to the JCF’s overall firearm seizures.
As at February 8, the police had seized 84 illegal firearms to include nine rifles, one submachine gun, one shot gun, 58 pistols, 12 revolvers, and three homemade firearms.
For the similar period in 2024, the police had seized 93 illegal firearms. This was down from the 138 illegal fireams seized for the same period in 2023 and the 108 held up to the same point in 2022.
Ammunition seizures as at February 8, 2025, amounted to 1,474.
For the corresponding periods in 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021, assorted rounds of ammunition seized amounted to 1,270. 1,030, 1,885, and 1,312, respectively.