Friday, July 1st, an operation carried out by the National Police of Haiti (PNH), with the support of customs agents, at the wharf of Port-de-Paix, followed by a search of the home of the named Edy Lafrance thus known, allowed the seizure of 120,000 munitions; distributed in 157 cases (114,000 caliber 5.56 for assault rifle type AR15. M16..., 2,000 caliber 9mm, 4,000 caliber 7.62 with high penetration capacity for assault rifle type AK-47, AKM-59...

During this same operation, 2 9mm caliber pistols, a 38 caliber revolver, 30 magazines and 20 Ak-47 rifle cases, 3,890 US dollars and 814,343 Gourdes were also seized.

According to initial information, these ammunition, weapons and accessories were imported from the United States and transported to Port-de-Paix aboard a Cargo Shipping Lines cargo boat called "« Miss Lily » " from Florida.

After a search of the home of Edy Lafrance, Fritz Jean Relus, who had received part of this cargo hidden in "7 barrels", was arrested on the orders of Me Michelet Virgile, Government Commissioner at the Court of First Instance of Port-au-Paix, on the charge of complicity in the illicit trafficking of firearms.

The police issued three wanted notices for several Haitians: Marie Guirléne Estimable (exporter), Wilfrid Estimable (importer) and Edy Lafrance for the storage and illegal distribution of weapons and ammunition.

Moreover, according to the North-West Departmental Directorate of the PNH, legal measures will be taken against the company "Cargo Shipping Lines" which transported these weapons and ammunition illegally.

SL/ HaitiLibre