X-Ray machine to be installed at the Woodbridge Bay Port to screen imported barrels with goods

Justice, Immigration & National Security Minister, Rayburn Blackmoore, has disclosed that an x-ray machine is being installed, to screen all imports of items entering in barrels, at the Woodbridge Bay Port.
 
Blackmore said Government took that decision following the discovery of a number of firearms and ammunition in a barrel, which originated in the United States, which came into the Woodbridge Bay Port in September 2016, and remained there for two days, after which it was seized during a police operation at the Port.
 
The barrel, which contained grocery items, had five Taurus pistols, one kel tec pistol, one Rossi revolver, one 29 round sub-machine gun machine, one 9 million-volt stunt gun, and six hundred and thirty rounds (630) of ammunition for various firearms were found at the bottom.
 
According to the Chief of Police, Daniel Carbon, the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force is working closely with United States law enforcement officials in investigating that discovery.
 
Minister Blackmoore said “We are seeing to the installation of an x-ray machine that would detect and record items in every barrel that will come to this country and a little later, this will be augmented to include crates and pallets”.
 
Minister stated further, that the entry of illegal firearms into the country is a national security issue; “it is not about what the Port does and what the Customs does; these are national security issues that have implications for the security and safety of the state”.