The 70,000 rounds of ammunition purchased by the Strategic Services Agency (SSA) and now unaccounted for represent a significant and grave threat to citizens, visitors, and national security, according to National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds.
Minister Hinds highlighted this issue in the Senate on Thursday in response to Independent Senator Dr. Paul Richards’ inquiries following Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley’s statement on the ongoing audit of the SSA. Dr. Rowley addressed Parliament on the matter on Wednesday.
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Among the audit findings, Dr. Rowley noted that the SSA’s purchase of ammunition increased dramatically from 8,000 rounds in 2017 to 100,000 rounds by 2022. Additionally, the agency’s stock of firearms grew from 24 pistols/revolvers in 2016 to 103 of various types and calibres, including military-grade weapons by 2022.
The audit also uncovered that the SSA’s former director initiated the procurement of high-grade military bolt-action sniper rifles, complete with modern silencers and other accessories. This matter is currently the subject of an ongoing audit and police investigation.
In the Senate, Richards questioned the strategies implemented to mitigate the potential threat posed by the 70,000 rounds of missing ammunition possibly falling into the hands of criminals.
Hinds responded, “Every single round of ammunition that finds itself in unlawful hands with the prospects for misuse and abuse poses a very serious threat. Given the Prime Minister’s observation that 70,000 rounds of ammunition are yet unrecorded and unaccounted for, this obviously poses a grave and very serious threat to citizens, visitors, and of course to national security.
“That’s the reason why accountability in the business of firearms and ammunition—their movement and use—is so critical. As the Prime Minister indicated, the police are pursuing this particular matter meticulously and hopefully to a very successful finding or end.”
