Press Statement
Roseau –It is with deep concern that the UWP views the recent arrest and subsequent fine imposed on former Foreign Minister under the DLP government, Dr Kenneth Darroux, for illegally importing gun accessories into Dominica. Dr. Darroux pleaded guilty to the offense and was subsequently charged $ 5,000. His arrest and conviction have placed increased scrutiny on the recent spate of gun violence in Dominica, including murder and armed robbery.
The arrest of Dr. Darroux for this serious crime should remind us all of the number of unlicensed firearms in Dominica, some of which have been used to commit murder, many of which remain unsolved, and other violent crimes. It also draws attention to the yet unsolved theft of Police firearms from a Police station in St Joseph. Government for its part has recently engaged in halfhearted attempts to introduce a gun amnesty and to tackle this growing problem within our country.
The UWP therefore calls on the government of Dominica to do more to curb gun violence on the island, impose severe penalties on those breaking the law, and generally improve the security and wellbeing of its citizens. The government should also vigorously investigate the theft of guns at the St Joseph Police Station and improve the security and storage of guns and ammunition at Police facilities.
More should also, be done to curb the importation of illegal arms through the air and seaports and generally extend greater efforts to stem the flow of these weapons into Dominica. If nothing else, the action of the former minister should be a wakeup call to the danger that we all face in Dominica from the flow of illicit weapons into the country, and the need for firm and decided action on the part of the government.