Police Recover Illegal Firearm, Arrest Three During Islandwide Crime Crackdown

Police have recovered an illegal firearm, seized several items of evidential value, and arrested three people as part of an intensified islandwide crime-fighting operation conducted over the past two days.

The operations, carried out by the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, involved officers from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Task Force, the Gang and Guns Suppression Unit (GAGSU), the K-9 Unit, the Forensic Evidence Recovery Unit (FERU), and other specialized departments. The coordinated exercise included intelligence-led operations, search warrants, vehicle checkpoints, and mobile patrols across several communities.

One of the most significant developments came during a search operation in Collins, where officers recovered an unlicensed firearm along with several rounds of matching ammunition. Police also seized a Colombian passport and a cellular phone, which investigators believe may be relevant to the ongoing investigation.

Two individuals were arrested on suspicion of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition in connection with the discovery.

Additional search warrants were later executed in East Bus Station, Cashew Hill, and Golden Grove. Police said one more person was arrested during those operations, while several other items were seized as investigators continue their inquiries.

The Police Administration said the recent operations form part of a broader strategy to disrupt criminal activity, remove illegal weapons from the streets, and improve public safety throughout Antigua and Barbuda.

Authorities also stressed that the increased police presence is not solely tied to the Carnival season. They said heightened patrols, intelligence-led operations, stop-and-search exercises, and the execution of search warrants will continue well beyond the festive period as part of the force’s long-term crime reduction strategy.

Police are appealing to the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity, emphasizing that community cooperation remains vital in the ongoing fight against crime.