United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced the indictment against Shem Wayne Alexander, 35, of Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago; and faces charges of conspiracy to commit illegal export smuggling and conspiracy to traffic firearms.
Alexander was arrested in Jamaica on November 15, 2024, with a request for provisional arrest from the United States with a view to his extradition, which was fulfilled on December 20.
According to authorities, Alexander was the leader of a group that illegally exported firearms, firearm components and related items from Florida to Trinidad and Tobago between 2019 and 2022.
The firearms, including pistols and rifles, and related equipment were concealed within boxing and wrestling equipment, speakers and other household items to avoid detection by law enforcement and customs authorities.
The criminal group led by Alexander also participated in phantom firearms purchases in Tampa by misrepresenting the identities of buyers and recipients.
Even on April 7, 2021, Alexander ordered his associates to send a package containing several firearms from Miami to Trinidad and Tobago. This shipment included pistols such as the 9mm Taurus G2C and Ruger Security-9 models. Authorities intercepted these items at Piarco International Airport on April 22, 2021.
The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with support from several agencies, including the Police Service’s Transnational Organized Crime Unit of Trinidad and Tobago.
If convicted, he could be sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in federal prison.
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