Customs seeking to clamp down on illegal guns entering Jamaica

 

The Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) has launched an initiative to clamp down on the number of illegal guns making their way into the island. 

 

The agency is embarking on a public education campaign, dubbed "Tell Us", which calls for Jamaicans at home and abroad to report suspicious or criminal activities in customs controlled areas. 

 

Commissioner of Customs Velma Ricketts Walker says it is important that all stakeholders are engaged in the fight against illegal guns and ammunition to reduce criminal activities.

 

"The security of this country is about all of us. And so we are making it inclusive and saying, 'All you need to do, if you have the information, tell us'," she said. 

 

The Commissioner of Customs said the agency has intensified its border security measures. 

 

"We have been doing greater screening, greater physical inspections, utilising greater advanced risk management in the determination of how shipments are inspected – not just shipments but also passengers – because we want to ensure that we deter any illicit item, any contraband, any illegal guns from coming into our country."  

 

People with information that may lead to the seizure of contraband and or the arrest of those involved in the shipment of contraband are being encouraged to call Crime Stop.