Against a backdrop of growing public demand for safer communities across Antigua and Barbuda, the Royal Police Force has delivered a major blow to illegal criminal activity, netting two unregistered firearms, a cache of ammunition, and large quantities of cannabis in two separate enforcement actions carried out as part of its flagship Operation Restore Confidence. The coordinated raids, which unfolded on September 4, marked the latest push in the force’s sustained campaign to remove contraband and dismantle illicit networks operating across the island nation.
In the first operation, launched in the pre-dawn hours of September 4, a multi-unit tactical team brought together investigators from the Criminal Investigations Department Task Force, specialists from the Gang and Guns Suppression Unit, and detection experts from the K-9 Unit. The team executed a court-authorized search warrant at a residential property located on Green Bay Hill. The planned search yielded far more contraband than initial intelligence had indicated: along with the two unregistered firearms and multiple rounds of ammunition, officers also recovered an unregistered license plate, a mix of Eastern Caribbean and United States cash, multiple mobile devices, a Nikon camera, assorted clothing, and other evidence that will be analyzed as part of ongoing inquiries. Three individuals found on the property during the search were taken into custody immediately, and are currently being held at St. John’s Police Station to face charges of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
While the Green Bay Hill raid unfolded, a second team of cross-departmental officers was carrying out targeted mobile patrols and routine stop-and-search checks across several high-priority communities, including Briggins, Belmont, Bellevue Heights, and Bathlodge, all part of Operation Restore Confidence’s broader public safety mandate. During one of these traffic stops, officers searched a vehicle and found 55.2 grams of cannabis concealed in the car. Acting on this discovery, police secured a second search warrant for the driver’s home, where they uncovered an additional 1.4 pounds of cannabis and an illegal flare gun. The driver was taken into custody on suspicion of cannabis possession, and all contraband and evidence was seized for further investigation. The vehicle itself was also impounded, as it was found to be operating without valid registration or insurance coverage.
In an official statement released the following day, the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to keeping public safety at the top of its agenda. The force emphasized that it will maintain a consistent, visible presence across all communities, and will continue to carry out intelligence-driven operations, targeted searches, and routine patrols with the core goal of stripping illegal criminal networks of their weapons, ammunition, and controlled substances. With Operation Restore Confidence still in full swing, police administration has issued a public appeal for ongoing cooperation and information sharing from local residents, noting that community support is a critical component of the operation’s long-term success in reducing violent crime and building public trust in law enforcement.