Special Operations Bureau’s Traffic Stop Yields Ghost Gun, Ammunition, Large Amount of Marijuana

On Wednesday, during “Operation Set De Tone,” the Special Operations Bureau Tactical Team conducted a traffic stop on Hope Road in the vicinity of Lime Tree Bay Terminals, which led to an arrest, the V.I. Police Department reported.

A white Ford truck was observed being operated without a license plate affixed to the front bumper of the vehicle. As the officers approached the vehicle, they immediately smelled what appeared to be a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. While talking to the driver, he began to reach for a bag that was on the front passenger’s seat and attempted to drive off from the traffic stop. After being given several verbal commands to remove the key from the ignition and exit the vehicle, the driver, Jahnigh Gonsalves, was tactically removed from the vehicle and placed in handcuffs. The officers then conducted a search of the truck and discovered a 9mm “Ghost Gun” with an automatic sear switch. A 17-capacity loaded magazine was inserted in the magazine well of the weapon with a chambered round. A 50-round drum was also recovered from inside the vehicle, along with a large quantity of marijuana, according to the police report.

Gonsalves, 21, was placed under arrest for carrying of a firearm openly or concealed and possession or sale of ammunition. His bail was set at $50,000, the report stated.