Officers seize pistol

AN article published by The Fiji Times on October 5, 1988, reported that a pistol and its ammunition were found by port security officers in a container of assorted clothing at the Queen’s Wharf in Suva.

The weapon was found concealed in a towel, which was part of a consignment of goods being sent to a Lautoka businessman.

His name was being held until further investigations were completed.

Security officers searched the container after an anonymous tip-off.

The pistol was found at the top of the consignment and a further search resulted in officers finding ammunition and gas canisters at the bottom of the container.

The ammunition consisted of 3000 copper pellets and 10 cylinders of carbon dioxide canisters.

The operation officer of the Fiji Military Force Port Security, Major Jonetani Kaukimoce said the pistol was being sent from Canada, but was made in America.

“Although it is an air pistol, ballistic experts at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks told us it can injure a person at a range of 25 metres.

“It could be very lethal at a range of three to five metres,” Major Kaukimoce said.

He said the weapon made no noise when fired and would be very effective when used as an assassination weapon.

“In a crowded room or a cocktail party, you could just move up alongside and shoot a person, killing them instantly.

“There would be no noise and no blood.”

The gas acted as a propellant as it pushed the pellets out through the barrel. The pistol was automatic and did not need to be loaded before firing.

The weapon was operated by first inserting a fourinch-long carbon dioxide gas canister into the pistol’s grip.

Smaller copper pellets were loaded into the breach from an opening on top of the weapon.

Once the safety catch was released, the weapon was then ready for use.

The pistol was made by Crossman Air Guns of New York, USA.

Major Kaukimoce said air guns were used in some overseas countries for sports.

“I don’t think this pistol was brought in for that reason.

“If it was, then there would have been some more with it.”

Major Kaukimoce said the Lautoka businessman had asked the police to return it to its sender.

“He must have known it was coming because he sent the message to the police before had told anyone about it.”

He said part of the consignment was at the Lautoka Wharf and was also searched by officers before being released.

He said they had caught a lot of businessmen trying to evade Customs duty by filling incorrect cargo manifests.

“In one instance, a container load of car tyres was also found to contain a Datsun car and a refrigerator.

“Another container of tyres was found to contain cartons of sports bags, shirts and advertisement material.”

Major Kaukimoce said his men would continue to keep a constant lookout for illegal shipments of any kind and would try to make Suva one of the best ports in the Southern Hemisphere.

In a crowded room or a cocktail party, you could just move up alongside and shoot a person, killing them instantly. – Major Jonetani Kaukimoce