Guns found in fridge
(CNS): Customs officers have seized a number of firearms along with ammunition and clips which were concealed behind the front door panels of a refrigerator being imported into the Cayman Islands from the US. As a result one Caymanian man has been arrested and charged for the importation of five firearms and ammunition as the investigaiton continues.
The seizure and subsequent arrest of Caymanian Michael Ebanks came about after officers in the Customs Narcotic Enforcement Team (C/NET) became suspicious on Wednesday, 12 November, of the documentation relating to the importation of the refrigerator arriving by sea freight from Miami and selected it for inspection .
The following day an initial search of the refrigerator was conducted by a Customs K-9 at the Cargo Distribution Centre. The dog, trained to detect firearms, ammunition and controlled drugs, alerted its handler to the refrigerator doors. A thorough search, during which the front panels of the refrigerator doors were removed, led to the discovery of the firearms and ammunition.
Following the discovery, through a combined effort by the Royal Cayman Islands Police and the Customs Narcotic Enforcement Team (C/NET), Ebanks was arrested and charged for the importation of five firearms, a number of ammunition clips and a large quantity of ammunition.
Customs said that investigations into the matter are continuing. Assistant Collector of Customs Trevor Williams applauded the efforts of the officers involved, and recognized the continuing excellent working relationship between the Police and Customs.
Category: Headline News
OH, one last note, there is someone or maybe more than one person who is writing in support of Derek Haines and what a great job he did.
If he is so great why did he leave his post?
If so much was put in place by him during his tenure then why is it not in place today? Could it be that it was not foolproof?
Just some thoughts rolling around in my head……..
Correct, Caymanians are always highlighted all over when they buck their toes. Foreigners are handed a silver platter, whether it be from the RCIP, the Judiciary they get the raw deal. Look at home many foreigners to our shores have committed unspeakable crimes and they are rarely displayed in the local media the way a Caymanian is.
The RCIP and the Judiciary and the Print Media are all biased against Caymanians on a whole.
Like I keep saying…… conquer and divide……..time for independence
Am I the only one to notice the slanted reporting in the media whenever a Caymanian vs. a foreign national is charged with an offence. In the latter case the nationality is almost always hidden perhaps to give the impression that crimes are just committed by Caymanians. Here is a good example. I promise you that it is representative.
1. "As a result one Caymanian man has been arrested and charged for the importation of five firearms and ammunition as the investigaiton continues.
The seizure and subsequent arrest of Caymanian Michael Ebanks came about after officers in the Customs Narcotic Enforcement Team (C/NET) became suspicious on Wednesday, 12 November, of the documentation relating to the importation of the refrigerator arriving by sea freight from Miami and selected it for inspection." (my emphasis – note that once was not enough)
2. "A carpenter and a gardener have been charged with the murder of Estella Scott-Roberts. Larry Prinston Ricketts (25) and Kirkland Henry (27) both George Town residents appeared before Margaret Ramsey-Hale this morning and were remanded in custody (my emphasis – note that once would apparently be too much)
It’s amazing what can be accomplished when two law enforcement agencies such as H.M. Customs/RCIPS, come together as one law enforcement body with an objective view of tackling criminals involved in the trafficking of drugs and firearms into our country. I applaud the efforts of these officers involved in this most recent arrest and seizure. WELL DONE !!!!
It reminds me of the great work we did together (although short) back in April – September 2005, until we at the Drugs Task Force were taken out of "total commission" and fell apart due to being posted on security duties for almost one year, which was "never part" of our aims and objetives for the DTF.
However, while operational in the six months prior, we intercepted 4 Jamaican canoes and recovered approximately 4,000 lbs of Ganja, conducted multiple island wide operations every week and recovered the first automatic AK 47, an additional 8 semi- automatic pistols, approximately 1 kilo of cocaine both in powder and crack form, numerous undercover operations where drug dealers were taken off the street and put in prison, having not known that for weeks prior, they were selling cocaine to an undercover police officer posing as user. Others incidents as well which I am not at liberty to discuss on this site.
Interestingly, all of this was done following Hurricane Ivan where we had very limited resources to work with. In fact, we actually saw from the air another Jamaican canoe off the south east coast of East End loaded with 4,000 lbs of Ganja and firearms as well. Put simply, with no funding to purchase a "go fast" vessel back then, it escaped our detection.
All of these detections mentioned above were accomplished under the direct control of C/Supt Derek Haines who in my opinion, is the individual who needs to become the next Commissioner of Police. In assuming control of the RCIPS, all of the "flawed implementations" that we told them in 2005-06 that would not work here, be removed. This being done, many experienced officers who resigned from the service back then in "disgust" would rejoin and together, take back the RCIPS to a place where it can be once again, a "shining beacon or hope" for the people of these Cayman Islands.
However, due to all that has gone wrong recently and in the past, I would estimate it would require at least 18 months to be put the RCIPS back on track, assuming the appropriate funding is made available and the co-operational support be given both internally and externally.
Shaun Ebanks
DTF Detective Chief Inspector (former)
DISGRACE
What a disgrace to this young man to be bringing firearms in this Country. I think this case needs to be investigated thoroughly, there may be more than meets the eye.
What is his reason, who was he bringing them in for. Too much surprizes are taking place on this Island now. Cant figure it out.