Maraval man on the run

While officers concentrated on locating the man, a 27-year-old San Juan woman remained in custody and was being questioned yesterday in connection with the same arms and ammunition find at El Socorro on Wednesday.

Police sources revealed yesterday, they seized from five barrels at the Customs Bond Shop named Piarco Air Services : three AR-15 rifles; one shotgun; one sniper rifle; 300 rounds of assorted ammunition including 5.56, 7.62 magazines; and other parts for firearms.

Newsday understands the guns came in ten parts in the five barrels and were carefully wrapped in plastic and secured at the bottom of the barrels covered with loose flour, dog chow and grocery items. Officers of the Customs and Excise, acting on a tip-off, went to the Piarco Air Services on Wednesday morning and began searching barrels which came from Canada.

One of the first barrels searched resulted in the recovery of some of the gun parts hidden in loose dog chow. Officers then searched four other barrels and found additional gun parts for a sniper and another AR-15 rifle. The over 300 assorted ammunition and magazines were also discovered hidden under grocery items and flour.

The 27-year-old El Socorro woman, who went to the Piarco Air Services to clear one of the barrels, was quickly detained and said that she was given money by someone to collect the barrel and was promised the grocery items contained inside the barrel. She said she accepted the offer because she found it to be a great deal but never knew that the barrel also contained illegal arms and ammunition.

The second suspect of Maraval, reportedly went to the Customs Bond area but fled after receiving a phone call. All the weapons and ammunition were sent to the Special Evidence Recovery Unit in Cumuto (SE RU) for testing.

Authorities are expected to make contact with officers of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for some assistance in the probe surrounding the smuggling of guns and ammo into the country. Yesterday, ACP (Crime) Irwin Hackshaw told Newsday, “This is a worrying situation in a country where firearms are boldly coming through our legal and illegal ports of entry. We need to do more in-depth surveillance and intelligence.” ACP Hackshaw commended both the police and customs for their vigilance which led to the recovery of the weapons.” He also revealed that increased vigilance is now being paid at all ports of entry whether legal or illegal.