Woman charged with importing weapons in dog food granted bail

AWOMAN who has been charged with importing 19 illegal firearms in a barrel containing dog food was granted bail when she appeared in court here on Monday.

Hafeisha Dillon, 28, a geriatric nurse, has been charged under the Customs Act with importing prohibited items into the country.

The Trinidad Guardian reports that Attorney Harricharan Cassie, who prosecutes on behalf of the Customs and Excise Division, did not object to bail for Dillon, but asked presiding magistrate Nanette Forde-John to apply strict conditions to her bail, considering the quantity of weapons she is alleged to have imported. Forde-John agreed and ordered Dillon to surrender her passport and report to police three times weekly for the duration of her case.

BARRELS UNPACKED

During Monday’s hearing, Cassie and two officers unpacked the plastic shipping barrel bearing Dillon’s name that contained the illegal weapons, a large bag of dog food, two large bags of flour, two pairs of shoes and a quantity of nutritional supplement drinks. The weapons included two AK47 assault rifles, two shotguns and 15 handguns, as well as a quantity of assorted ammunition. Dillon was arrested last Wednesday as she allegedly went to clear the barrel.

The police report that she was the second consignee to attempt to clear a barrel containing dog food that day.

The other consignee was eventually arrested and his shipment seized after Dillon was detained.