Vincentian, Trini arrested for high powered rifle, bullets

A Vincentian man, 43-year-old Mitchell Warren and Lee Martin, a 66-year-old Trinidadian boat captain who lives in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) have been charged in the British Virgin Island (BVI) for having in their possession a high-powered rifle and a quantity of ammunition onboard a cargo vessel.

The two men were charged on Friday March 31 after an operation by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) and Customs uncovered the weapon and 20 rounds of ammunition onboard a vessel called the Tenacity.

The boat is registered in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) and was docked at Port Purcell in the BVI when it was searched in January 20 and the weapon found in the cargo hold. Both men have denied knowledge of the weapon.

When the men appeared in court, they were granted bail

in the sum of $60,000.

In granting each of the alleged offenders bail with one or two sureties, Magistrate Baptiste-Dabreo noted that $10,000 of the total bail amount ($60,000) should be paid in cash. She also considered the fact that the gun allegedly was found on the vessel – not specifically on the two men charged.

Martin is originally from Trinidad and Tobago, but he lives alone in St Vincent while Warren, who is represented by attorney Leroy Jones, claimed to be employed with ‘Silvester Shariff Marine’, also known as S&S Marine, in SVG.

The men return to court on June 2.

Speaking on Monday March 6 during the opening ceremony of a five-day joint border security workshop which was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Conference room, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves mentioned the incident.

He said that the high powered weapon had come from the United States.