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A U.S. national was arrested, charged and convicted for Possession of Ammunition after a loaded magazine was found in his luggage.
Gary Koop, a citizen of the United States of America who resides in Texas, arrived in St. Kitts on May 02, 2018. He went to the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport on May 08, 2018 to depart the island. At about 2 p.m. when his checked luggage was being scanned, the Port Constables observed a magazine inside one of them. Following a search, they discovered a magazine with five (5) .380 rounds of ammunition. Koop is a licenced firearm holder in the U.S., but failed to bring the magazine to the attention of local authorities.
He was arrested and charged for offence of Possession of Ammunition by the Police. He was also charged for Importation and Falsifying a Customs Declaration Form by Her Majesty’s Customs and Excise Department. On May 09, he appeared before the Basseterre Magistrate Court. The Importation charge was withdrawn and he pleaded guilty to Possession of Ammunition and Falsifying a Declaration Form.
He was ordered to pay $5,400 forthwith or, in default, serve three (3) months in prison.