Montague-Are the weapons aimed at the state?

As a top level probe into the attempted shipment of 117 illegal guns to Jamaica continues, National Security Minister Robert Montague is questioning whether those involved were preparing to challenge the State.

He raised the issue in an interview with RJR News.

The Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigation Branch (C-TOC) and US Customs and Border Protection are probing the discovery of the shipment of  guns and ammunition in Miami.

The guns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition were intercepted last month at Miami International Airport.

The National Security Minister told RJR News that the shipment was cause for concern.

"We must ask ourselves these questions: Who paid for these guns? What was the purpose of these guns coming into Jamaica? Is somebody going to take on the State? Is somebody starting a war?"

RJR News understands that the shipment of weapons and ammunition was destined for the criminal underworld in Montego Bay, St James.

Two high powered rifles, 115 pistols, 139 magazines as well as more than 200 rounds of ammunition were found.

Investigators are trying to determine whether the find is linked to last month's gun seizure at Kingston Terminal.

Nineteen weapons and more than four thousand rounds were intercepted.

Montague stressed that this find will have illustrated o tthe people of Jamaica "what the security forces face on a daily basis."