The assortment of firearms seized during a joint cross-border operation in the Maho area (see related story) during the early morning hours of Wednesday, July 2, is both impressive and alarming. Acting on a formal request from their French counterparts and under the direction of an investigating judge, St. Maarten Police Force KPSM detectives, supported by the specialised Arrest Team, executed the house search, which resulted in the arrest of three individuals: one female and two males.
While part of an ongoing investigation into a murder committed on the French side and illegal firearm possession, the discovery of three handguns, two automatic rifles and a significant quantity of ammunition is noteworthy. This shows those involved were well-equipped for committing gun crimes.
The proliferation of firearms has become a serious threat to public safety throughout the Caribbean, even on normally tranquil neighbouring Anguilla. The fact that it mostly regards tourism destinations only enhances vulnerability to security-related issues and their socioeconomic consequences.
Efforts to address this matter at a regional level are underway, although to law enforcement authorities it must at times seem like carrying water to the sea.
Nevertheless, particularly for an island shared by two countries with open border, cooperation remains essential to try to at least curb the problem.
The same thing goes for non-compliant motorbike riders. As also reported in today’s edition, police confiscated five scooters during a road control on July 1, due to missing or invalid documentation, including unpaid road tax, lack of insurance, absent technical inspection reports and unregistered licence plates. Some riders were not wearing mandatory safety helmets.
Will this stop others from endangering lives, including their own, in traffic and using scooters as convenient getaway vehicles in crimes? Probably not, but it can certainly help stem the tide.
