The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has arrested and charged two males in connection with separate firearm recoveries during recent police operations in the Territory.

A 17-year-old male of North Sound, Virgin Gorda, was charged with Carrying a Firearm without a License and Unlawful Possession of Explosives following the July 17 recovery of a loaded Glock 19 pistol during a response to suspicious activity in Road Town. The teen was one of two male juveniles intercepted during the operation.

In a separate incident, Malachy Payne, 25, of Mount Healthy, was also charged with Keeping a Firearm Without a License and Unlawful Possession of Explosives after officers recovered a firearm and ammunition during a stop-and-check operation in the Huntums Ghut area. Both individuals have been remanded to His Majesty’s Prison as investigations continue.

These charges come amid the RVIPF’s intensified efforts to rid the Territory of illegal firearms and ammunition. As of mid-July, a total of 14 firearms and 995 rounds of ammunition have been recovered.

The RVIPF thanks the public for its continued support and urges anyone with information about illegal weapons or suspicious activity to contact the Intelligence Unit at 368-9339 or anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 800-8477 (TIPS) or (284) 800-8477 from overseas.