ARTICLE GUN SMUGGLING ARRESTS

TWO HAITIANS ARRESTED IN JACKSONVILLE BY FEDERAL AGENTS
(Haiti Libre) -

Federal agents have arrested, this Wednesday in Jacksonville, two men of Haitian origin, Niyo Baptiste and Jude Fontus. The two men, in an initial court appearance, have been accused of having smuggled 13 weapons to Haiti, with plans to send another 100. They are presently detained without bail, pending their hearing next Monday. Both accused told the federal agents, that the weapons were sent for a security company.

This is the second arrest in less than a month after that of 31 May 2012, of another Haitian also accused in a similar gun trafficking to Haiti, from South Florida.

These arrests are the result of a one month investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Jacksonville. Officers found by consulting a database, that 13 weapons, related to these two men, were purchased in April, at St. Nicholas Gun and Sporting Goods located 4630 Blanding Blvd. Both men subsequently sought to buy a second batch of 15 weapons and also told a federal agent, who played the role of a salesperson, that they were seeking at least 100 others.

The court record indicates that the 13 weapons purchased in April, have already been smuggled into Haiti. The men said they were shipped by boat in a box containing books.

Note that it is illegal to export arms without a proper license [a license that these two men did not have], and that even in possession of such a license, it is illegal to send firearms to some countries like Haiti, for private use.