The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force has confirmed that investigations are ongoing into the recovery of a high-powered firearm following a pre-dawn incident at Port Zante on Saturday, May 31.
According to police reports, members of the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force were conducting routine patrols at around 5:10 a.m. when they observed a black Toyota motorcar occupied by three males behaving suspiciously in the Half Moon area. The soldiers discreetly followed the vehicle as it travelled to the rear of the Mau Pau Casino at Port Zante.
As the soldiers attempted to approach, the occupants abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.
A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of an AR-15 rifle along with a magazine containing twenty rounds of mixed-calibre ammunition. Officers also recovered a multicoloured backpack containing cash, a black mask, gloves, a pink Samsung cellular phone, and other personal belongings.
Crime Scene Investigators later forensically processed the vehicle and all items recovered from the scene, including the firearm and ammunition.
Following investigative efforts, police confirmed that on June 10, at approximately 3:45 p.m., Mr. Raziq Persaud of Plum Tree, Phillips Village was arrested at the Basseterre Police Station. He has since been formally charged on two warrants in the first instance for the offences of Possession of Firearm and Possession of Ammunition, both in relation to the May 31 incident at Port Zante.
The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding public safety and national security. Authorities continue to pursue leads and are urging anyone with information related to the case to contact the Criminal Investigations Department at 662-1140.
