DIASPORA JURA will host its annual Jamaica Independence Gala on August 12

On Saturday, August 12 the Jamaica United Relief Association (JURA) is hosting their annual Jamaica Independence Gala under the distinguished patronage of the Consul General, R. Oliver Mair, Consulate General of Jamaica, Miami

According to a representative from the organization, “Jamaica just commemorated Emancipation Day, our athletes continue to show the world how amazing they are What better way to bolster this wonderful feeling than by supporting an organization that has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of Jamaicans for almost 40 years?

“As proud and active members of the diaspora, we aim to show our support of other organizations throughout the year as often as we can And you have seen us out and about in

2023 We kindly ask for your support for our upcoming Jamaica Independence Gala ”

Founded in 1985, JURA is always raising funds and supporting health, educational, and social service causes throughout Jamaica

JURA recipients include the Bustamante Children’s Hospital, Marigold Child Care Center, St Andrew Parish Church Home for Girls, Lighthouse Holiness Church of God, Mustard Seed Communities, Jamaica Aids Support, Good Shepherd Foundation’s Aids Hospice, Children First (Spanish Town), and many more noteworthy organizations

The 2023 edition of JURA’s annual Jamaica Independence Gala will be held at the Marriott, Fort Lauderdale in Coral Springs Festivities start at 7 pm

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US cracks down on Trini Caribbean arms trafckers, imposes jail sentence

The US District Judge Steven D Merryday has handed down a prison sentence of four years and nine months to two Trinidad and Tobago citizens, followed by a three-year term of supervised release, for their conspiracy to unlawfully export goods from the United States Tevin OBrian Oliver, aged 30, and Jameal Kaia Phillip, 31, not only received sentences but also conceded to the forfeiture of multiple firearms, ammunition, and related equipment that had been used in the criminal activities

The duo pleaded guilty to the crimes earlier this year on April 11

According to media reports, Oliver and Phillip played key roles in an organized network that specialized in the illegal transportation of firearms, their components such as upper/lower receivers and gun parts kits, and associated items from Florida to their home country of Trinidad and Tobago over the span of 2019 to 2022

Reports are that smuggled goods, an assortment of pistols, long rifles, and related equipment, were hidden inside boxing equipment, speakers, and various household items in order to evade detection by the vigilant eyes of law enforcement and customs personnel

In their efforts to further deceive authorities, the convicts also made straw purchases from various firearm sellers, providing false identification of the actual buyers and recipients of the weapons, as well as misrepresenting their ultimate destination

The court was made aware of an instance on April 7, 2021, when Oliver shipped a package from Miami, Florida to Trinidad and Tobago

Concealed within were several firearms and related equipment, including a Taurus G2C 9mm pistol, a SAR Arms SAR-9 9mm pistol, a Taurus G3 9mm pistol, and a Ruger Security-9 9mm pistol t

The items were later seized by Trinidadian authorities at Piarco International Airport on or about April 22, 2021

“Dismantling this illicit weapons trafficking network makes a significant impact toward lowering crime and gun violence in Trinidad and Tobago, and the Caribbean,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tampa Assistant Special Agent in Charge Kristopher Pagitt

“These sentences demonstrate the commitment of HSI, alongside our federal and Caribbean nation partners and the US Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, to be steadfast in investigating and shutting down illegal firearms smuggling from the US,” Pagitt added