In a significant counter-trafficking operation on December 29, 2025, Haitian law enforcement intercepted a substantial cache of illicit weapons and ammunition at the Port of Cap-Haïtien. The joint operation conducted by the Anti-Narcotics Brigade (BLTS) and Customs authorities uncovered the concealed arsenal within shipping containers that had originated from the United States.
Authorities discovered the weapons meticulously hidden inside boxes within a container operated by international shipping giant CMA CGM. The seizure included sophisticated military-grade equipment: three firearms comprising two 9mm pistols (manufactured by Ruger and Taurus) and one high-caliber 7.62mm AK-47 assault rifle. The inventory further revealed eight magazines (four for each caliber) alongside 1,800 rounds of 9mm ammunition systematically packaged across 36 boxes containing 50 rounds each.
During the operation at the CTSA 2 terminal, law enforcement apprehended 43-year-old Jean Marie Clément Thelusma, identified as both the owner of the contraband and a suspected arms trafficker. Thelusma was taken into custody at the scene following the discovery.
This successful interdiction highlights enhanced coordination between specialized units of the Haitian National Police (PNH) and customs authorities, demonstrating considerable progress in securing the nation’s critical entry points against transnational trafficking networks. The operation marks a substantial victory in Haiti’s ongoing efforts to combat organized crime and stabilize regional security.