By Tynia Brown
Journal Staff Writer

A joint law enforcement operation has taken an arsenal of illegal guns and other contraband off
the streets, with police confirming the seizure of 25 illegal firearms, over 5,200 rounds of
ammunition, and nearly 50 pounds of suspected marijuana; a haul with an estimated street value
of $198,400.
Commissioner of Police, Shanta Knowles, detailed the bust during a press briefing at Police
Headquarters on Monday, following a coordinated operation between the Royal Bahamas Police
Force and Bahamas Customs.
“On Friday, June 27th, around three o’ clock in the afternoon, acting on information received,
we mounted an operation with our Customs partners,” said Commissioner Knowles. “Shortly
before 5 p.m., a vehicle was intercepted in the western part of New Providence. It contained
several household appliances, and hidden within them were illegal firearms and drugs.”
According to the Commissioner, the operation yielded 25 illegal firearms, including:
● Two revolvers,
● 11 pistols (one of which is a ghost gun), and
● 12 rifles, 9 of which were also ghost guns.

The team also recovered 29 magazines, including two drum magazines, capable of holding high
volumes of ammunition, and 5,216 rounds of assorted ammunition.
“These weapons were not yet on the streets,” Knowles said. “We got your guns. We got your
marijuana. We got your ammunition, and now, my team will be coming to look for you.”
In total, officers seized 49.6 pounds of suspected marijuana, packaged into 44 bundles. Knowles
confirmed the drugs alone are worth roughly $198,400 on the street.
When asked about the weapons’ potential for destruction, Knowles did not mince words. “We
don’t need these kinds of weapons on our streets. In the hands of the wrong people, especially in
crowded places, they can cause plenty, plenty of havoc.”
The firearms were discovered concealed inside household appliances, including refrigerators and
stoves that had been imported into the country. Commissioner Knowles confirmed the bust was made possible by an intelligence tip, which she said underscores the power of public
cooperation.
“One person is in custody at this time,” she confirmed. “We’re not prepared to give details on
how many others we’re looking for just yet, but this investigation is still in its early stages.”
Asked if these weapons could have been distributed for future criminal use, Knowles said,
“Anything could have happened. They could have been sold. They could have been shared on
the streets with those people who want to create fear and conduct unlawful activities.”
Despite the alarming nature of the find, the Commissioner remained confident in law
enforcement’s ability to intercept such threats. “We’re not alarmed by this. We understand the
professionalism of our officers. When they have information, they know how to turn it into
evidence.”
“This is what happens when we work in partnership with the public. We’re working with every
bit of information that you share with us,” She added.
Commissioner Knowles closed with a message to criminals. “We will continue to work to
protect the good people in our country, and for those who want to create fear and commit crimes,
we will be out on the streets to get you. And we will put you before the courts.”
The press briefing also included an update from Assistant Commissioner Anton Rahming, who
confirmed an active investigation into a deadly shooting that occurred over the weekend in the
Wulff Road area, where a 27-year-old woman was fatally shot, and two others, including a 13-
year-old boy, were injured.