Federal agents have arrested, this Wednesday in Jacksonville, two men of Haitian origin, Niyo Baptisme and Jude Fontus. The two men, in an initial appearance in court, have been accused to have smuggled 13 Weapons in Haiti, with plans to send another 100 in Haiti. They are presently detained without bail, pending their hearing next Monday. Both accused told the federal agents, that the weapons was 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 of a traffic similar towards Haiti, from South Florida.

These arrests are the result of an investigation of one month 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, which played the role of 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.

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

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-5843-haiti-justice-a-haitian-from-florida-accused-of-arms-smuggling.html

HL/ HaitiLibre