Trinidad Gunrunner Gets Nearly 5 Years in US Prison

TAMPA, FL – A brazen attempt to flood the streets of Trinidad and Tobago with American firepower landed Shem Wayne Alexander, 36, of Port of Spain, in federal prison. Alexander, the alleged leader of a transnational criminal organization, received a four-year and nine-month sentence today after pleading guilty to conspiracy to smuggle firearms. The operation, uncovered by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tampa, involved the illicit export of over 200 firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition.

The scheme, active between April 2019 and April 2022, saw Alexander and his network shipping weapons components and complete firearms from Florida to the Caribbean nation. They attempted to disguise the deadly cargo as “household items,” packing the guns and ammunition inside two punching bags. On April 21, 2021, Trinidad and Tobago authorities intercepted the shipment at Piarco International Airport, revealing the true contents. The seizure included 11 9mm pistols, two .38-caliber revolvers, a 12-gauge shotgun, and a frightening arsenal of AR-15 parts and magazines – enough to arm a small militia.

The concealed weaponry wasn’t just a collection of handguns. Investigators detailed the discovery of 32 AR-15 magazines, a drum magazine, and a staggering 470 rounds of AR-15 ammunition. Along with that, authorities found 34 9mm magazines, 284 9mm rounds, and various other components designed to build and maintain assault-style rifles. Alexander and his co-conspirators deliberately bypassed proper shipping procedures, failing to notify the carrier of the dangerous goods within.

“Homeland Security Investigations works diligently to dismantle transnational criminal organizations such as these, which engage in firearms smuggling,” stated Kristopher Pagitt, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of HSI Tampa. “This successful investigation and prosecution demonstrate the critical role law enforcement collaboration plays to disrupt the networks that fuel violence and instability in the Caribbean and around the world.” Pagitt emphasized that the case was about more than just law enforcement; it was a commitment to safeguarding communities on both sides of the border.

Alexander’s journey to a US courtroom was complex. He was extradited from Jamaica to face prosecution, a process requiring cooperation from Jamaican authorities and the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs. The investigation was a multi-agency effort, involving HSI’s Attaché Caribbean, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and law enforcement agencies in Trinidad and Tobago, the U.S., and Florida. Alexander was also ordered to forfeit the seized firearms.

Federal authorities are urging the public to report any suspected criminal activity. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling 866-DHS-2-ICE or through the online tip form. This case serves as a stark reminder of the relentless flow of illegal weapons across international borders and the ongoing battle to stem the tide of violence they fuel. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on further developments.