GRIMY TIMES EXCLUSIVE: Shem Wayne Alexander, 35, from Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to smuggle firearms into his home country. The federal crime involved unlawful exportation of weapons, components, and ammunition over a period of three years.
A Tampa, Florida, court heard the details as Alexander faced up to five years in federal prison for his role in the transnational scheme. He was extradited from Jamaica after being arrested there on November 15, 2024.
The plea agreement reveals that Alexander and his co-conspirators shipped a massive cache of firearms and accessories to Trinidad and Tobago, falsely labeling them as ‘household items.’ On April 21, 2021, the shipment was intercepted by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service at Piarco International Airport. Inside two punching bags were hidden 9mm pistols, revolvers, shotguns, AR-15 components, magazines, ammunition, and more.
Investigating this case were Homeland Security Investigations, ATF, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, USCIS, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and CBP. The extradition was a collaboration between DoJ’s Office of International Affairs, Jamaica’s Director of Public Prosecutions, and the Jamaica Constabulary Force.
The prosecution is led by Assistant United States Attorneys David W.A. Chee and Adam W. McCall. This operation is part of an OCDETF investigation aimed at dismantling serious transnational criminal organizations.
Photo: An X-ray image of one of the concealed firearms found in a shipment destined for Trinidad and Tobago.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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