St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda – July 25, 2026 – The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda has escalated its proactive, coordinated crime reduction initiatives across both islands of the nation, launching a multi-unit sweep designed to disrupt ongoing criminal networks, remove illegal weapons from communities, and bolster overall public safety for residents and visitors alike.
Over a 48-hour period starting July 23, specialized units from across the force – including the Criminal Investigations Department Task Force, the Gang and Guns Suppression Unit (GAGSU), the K-9 detection unit, and the Forensic Evidence Recovery Unit (FERU) – collaborated to execute a series of targeted interventions. These operations spanned multiple residential and public communities, encompassing court-authorized search warrants, roving mobile patrols, fixed vehicle checkpoints, and intelligence-driven tactical exercises tailored to local crime patterns.
One of the most significant seizures came during a targeted operation in the community of Collins, where law enforcement officers recovered an unregistered firearm alongside multiple rounds of matching ammunition. Investigators also seized additional evidence tied to the ongoing case: a Colombian passport and a mobile cellular device. Two people were taken into custody following the operation, and both face charges related to illegal possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
Authorities carried out additional court-ordered search warrants at three other locations: East Bus Station, Cashew Hill, and Golden Grove. These operations yielded one additional arrest and a separate haul of evidence connected to active ongoing investigations, the police force confirmed.
In a formal statement released via the Royal Police Force’s Office of Strategic Communications, the department’s senior administration emphasized that the current surge in operational activity is not a temporary measure tied to the upcoming Carnival festivities. “These heightened patrols, intelligence-led operations, stop-and-search exercises, and search warrant executions will continue long after the Carnival season concludes,” the statement noted, framing the expanded efforts as a core component of the force’s long-term national strategy to reduce violent crime, dismantle criminal organizations, and embed sustainable public safety across Antigua and Barbuda.
The police force is calling on all members of the public to partner in these crime-fighting efforts, urging residents to remain alert to unusual activity in their communities and to report any suspicious behavior to law enforcement immediately to help prevent crimes before they occur.