Dominica’s law enforcement authorities have achieved significant breakthroughs in their intensified campaign against illegal firearms, with Acting Police Chief Lincoln Corbette announcing the recovery of 12 weapons within just one month of establishing a specialized Firearms Task Force.
During a recent press conference detailing police accomplishments for 2025, Corbette revealed that the specially created unit has been operating ‘quietly but effectively’ since its formation. The seized arsenal includes high-powered rifles and military-grade weaponry, with one notable case resulting in five rifles being confiscated simultaneously.
In a particularly significant seizure, authorities recovered an Uzi submachine gun alongside three pistols and a shotgun from a single individual, who has since been brought before the courts for sentencing. All weapons were confirmed to be unlicensed, highlighting the serious nature of these violations.
Corbette emphasized the police department’s unwavering commitment to eradicating illegal firearms from Dominican society: ‘We will go after the firearms, wherever they are. Wherever in the country they are, we’ll go after them. Because we are not used to this callous use of firearms in Dominica. And we won’t relent until such time that we get rid of these firearms.’
The police chief also reported substantial progress in addressing other public safety concerns, noting a ‘significant reduction’ in reported theft, burglaries, and vagrancy within the Roseau area. These improvements are attributed to strategic operations including ‘Operation Clean Streets’ and the ongoing ‘Operation Safe DA,’ which have collectively removed numerous illicit firearms from criminal elements.
Complementing these efforts, authorities have intensified community policing initiatives and removed 160 derelict vehicles islandwide. Corbette issued a final warning to residents in the Kingshill area regarding tagged vehicles scheduled for removal before Christmas.
Additional security measures include enhanced police patrols in urban centers, with increased officer presence in Roseau and Portsmouth during the holiday season to ensure public safety and reduce crime-related anxieties.