Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicosIslands, February 14, 2024 – A high-level civil servant is among a group of men, charged with conspiracy to smuggle firearms into the Turks and Caicos, 41-year-old Ryan Smith was called before the courts alongside 43-year-old Shakeme Seymour of Grand Turk and 27-year-old James Ferguson of Providenciales.
Wilkie Arthur, Magnetic Media Court Correspondent, broke the news on Monday, February 5th. Police confirmation followed days later. Rumors of an arrest had begun as early as October 2023, following the killing of Jumilla Isma, who was being sought by police for questioning regarding firearm supply.
Arthur confirms the men were re-arrested this year and charged swiftly after it was alleged that they conspired along with Isma to supply firearms in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The charges come just months after Smith was appointed as Director of Business
Transformation in the Office of the Deputy Governor.
Premier Washington Misick had warned in 2022 that many of the young men suspected of committing crimes in the Turks, and Caicos were gainfully employed.
“A lot of these young men that are involved in criminality have jobs, so it’s not a situation where they are unable to support themselves.”
The premier blamed the need for instant gratification.
Smith holds an associate degree in System, Analysis and Computer Programming from Tallahassee Community College, a bachelors in Computer Information Systems from DeVry University, and other information systems certifications. In August 2023 he had been hired to drive the transformation of public services to better meet the needs of the public.
The three men, one of whom is already on remand for gun related charges (Seymour), will remain in police custody until their cases are called later this year.
The importation and supply of guns locally has been an area of serious concern for the government as guns are the main tool used in murders across the country.
Following the most recent outburst of crime, which resulted in five deaths and seven injuries, including that of a 10-year-old girl over one five days, (January 29, February 1 and February 2nd); the UK has indicated they are sending in a firearms team, consisting of six officers and a commander.
