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  4. CBP Makes Various Seizures of Firearms and Ammunition into US Virgin Islands

CBP Makes Various Seizures of Firearms and Ammunition into US Virgin Islands

Release Date
Mon, 07/13/2020

ST. THOMAS, Virgin Islands - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced Monday two incidents where inbound passengers to the Cyril E. King Airport and the Henry L Rohlsen Airport, have attempted to smuggle firearms, ammunition and bulletproof vests in violation to local law.    A display of the weapons sized in St. Crox

“The US Virgin Islands has its own laws regarding possession of firearms and ammunition,” stated Todd Bellew, Area Port Director in St. Thomas.  “Passengers should contact the local authorities regarding what is allowed to be entered.”

On July 11, a CBP Contraband Enforcement Team inspected all inbound luggage from a flight arriving to St. Croix from Miami.  Inside six checked luggage lags, officers found 3 AR15 rifles and eight handguns. 

On July 6, CBP officers inspected a passenger and his luggage arriving from Charlotte, North Carolina, finding a Glock 22 - .40 caliber, a Glock 27 .40 caliber, a Z-15 Multi Caliber Rifle, a Mossberg 12GA Shotgun.  Officers also found multiple rounds of ammunition to include (69) 9 mm rounds, (120) 5.56, (27) .45 caliber rounds, (123) .40 caliber rounds, and (68) 5.7 x 28 mm armor piercing rounds. The passenger was also in possession of (2) bulletproof vests, one of which was armor plated.

In all incidents, the Virgin Islands Police received custody of the weapons for disposition under local law.

As the United States’ first unified border entity, CBP takes a comprehensive approach to border management and control, combining customs, immigration, border security, and agricultural protection into one coordinated and supportive activity.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021