The proliferation of firearms in St. Maarten continues to make the news. During the past two weeks alone three men were held for illegal possession of such, on L.B. Scott Road in South Reward, on Tassel Road and last weekend in Simpson Bay. In the latter case acquaintances of the suspect even showed up at the Philipsburg police station shortly after his arrival (see Tuesday edition) and caused a disturbance.
As reported in Monday’s edition, an alleged robbery victim on a scooter in Cay Bay reportedly also managed to take a gun away from his assailants. Although not recommended due to the risk involved, his bravery helped get another potentially deadly firearm off the streets.
Where are they all coming from, one might ask, as there is no known local weapons factory. Most were obviously brought in from elsewhere, whether by sea or air.
It was therefore encouraging that Customs seized several firearms in the harbour at the end of July. They were found hidden in one of the selected consignments during a routine inspection of shipments.
The department says the discovery was part of its ongoing risk-based enforcement operations. These aim to safeguard and protect the public from illicit trade.
On various occasions calls have been among others in Parliament for equipping the cargo port with modern and efficient container scanners. However, in the meantime authorities are obviously doing what they can with currently available means.
This can come with some inconvenience as was recently the case at Princess Juliana International Airport, where supposedly 100% baggage controls were held, coinciding with the arrival of KLM and Air France from Europe. That caused quite some congestion and many travellers complained.
However, there had apparently been indications of drug-smuggling, because this newspaper witnessed officers with two detainees at the hospital that day who were obviously undergoing X-rays in search of “bolitas” they may have been carrying in their bodies.
The public must understand that without regular controls, the situation could easily become a free-for-all. Securing the border on both sides of the island is in the population’s best interest.
