DUTCH QUARTER--Two house searches by justice officials in Dutch Quarter and on the French side on Wednesday, March16, netted three, including an 81-year-old man and a cache of firearms and ammunition.
In tandem, cell searches were carried out in Pointe Blanche Prison by Prison Officers. Customs Officers also assisted for two additional searches in Prison in the latter part of last week.
The searches were in connection with a “lengthy investigation” of the Kingdom DetectivesCooperation Team (RST) called “Efeze,” led by the Prosecutor’s Office, into international firearms trafficking, drug trafficking and money laundering. The searches were conducted with the assistance of Police Department and Gendarmerie of French side.
Arrested are a woman I.F. (55), and two men R.R. (23) and V.R. (81). All three suspects appeared before the judge of Instruction on Friday, March 18, and were remanded for eight days of detention.
The investigation continues. More arrests cannot be excluded by the Prosecutor’s Officer.
Efeze stems from previous announcements after the “Stop, Drop & Go” campaign in 2014, stern actions against the possession of illegal firearms will be taken by Police and Prosecutor’s Office.
Aside from Police conducting intensified controls, the Prosecutor’s Office will request the judge to impose higher prison sentences as well as work on ways to stop illegal firearms from enter the country.
