February 19th, 2024:- Three individuals are anticipated to be charged under the Firearms Act after a joint operation led by officers of the Game Wardens Unit and the Estate Management and Business Development Company (EMBD) resulted in the discovery of three homemade shotguns and ammunition in their possession on Sunday, February 18, 2024.
The primary objective of this operation, spanning TPD Road, Navet, Charuma, Tabaquite, and the Central Range Game Sanctuary, was to rigorously enforce wildlife conservation regulations and combat the pervasive threat of illegal hunting, which poses a grave danger to our invaluable wildlife and fragile ecosystems.
During the patrol, officers encountered a parked vehicle adjacent to a hunting camp in the Charuma area. Upon hearing gunshots, the team intensified surveillance efforts, leading to the apprehension of three individuals approaching the hunting camp, each armed with firearms. Subsequent search and apprehension operations uncovered three homemade shotguns and a significant quantity of 12-gauge ammunition in their possession. None of the individuals held a valid Firearm User’s License or were exempted under the Firearms Act. Consequently, they were promptly detained and are currently undergoing processing at the Rio Claro Police Station.
Senator the Honorable Kazim Hosein, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, stresses the critical importance of adhering to legislation aimed at protecting our natural resources. He affirms, “The seizure of these illegal firearms serves as a stark reminder of the government’s unwavering dedication to preserving our environment and ensuring public safety. We remain steadfast in our commitment to taking decisive action against those who flout our laws and endanger the integrity of our ecosystems.”
The Minister urges members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to illegal hunting or firearm possession to the appropriate authorities.
The operation was conducted under the vigilant supervision of Conservator of Forests, Mr. Denny Dipchansingh, and Game Warden II Richard Ramlogan, who led a joint patrol to monitor and deter illegal hunting activities. The Ministry emphasizes its unwavering stance: illegal hunting will not be tolerated, and decisive action will be taken against anyone engaging in this criminal activity.
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