A Trinidad and Tobago national has been sentenced to 18 months in jail on charges of smuggling firearms and ammunition from the United States into Trinidad and Tobago.
The arms and ammunition were seized in Port of Spain in July 2023 and the US authorities say that the case involved close collaboration and cooperation between the two governments.
Judge William P Dimitrouleas, sitting in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida, sentenced Videsh Chandoo, to 18 months imprisonment, to be followed by three years’ supervised release. He was charged with smuggling seven pistols, and 332 rounds of ammunition from the United States into Trinidad and Tobago.
In January 2025, with the assistance of the US Embassy Port of Spain, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Diplomatic Security Service, and the Trinidad and Tobago Office of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs, Chandoo agreed to travel to the United States to answer the charge instead of being extradited.
He pleaded guilty to the charge on April 4, 2025.
The arms and ammunition were seized by officers of the Trinidad and Tobago Customs and Excise Division (TTCED) on July 14, 2023, during the inspection of a package at Shed 10, Port of Spain.
The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and the TTCED embedded U.S. CBP Advisor were contacted and based on information shared with the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, the US. Department of Commerce – Bureau of Industry and Security, and the CARICOM IMPACS – Crime Gun Intelligence Unit, Chandoo, a dual TT and US citizen, was identified as the trafficker of the firearms and ammunition.
Charges were pursued through collaboration with the U.S law enforcement agencies and the United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Florida. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Snider, Southern District of Florida.
“This case is a great example of the successes which are achieved because of the strong bilateral relationship between the United States and Trinidad and Tobago, and the great partnership between US and TT law enforcement agencie,” said Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Trinidad, Dr. Jenifer Neidhart de Ortiz.
“Together we will arrest and convict bad actors and disrupt illegal arms trafficking, protect our borders and make our countries safer.”
Acting Director Daniel Driscoll said this case is only one example of ATF’s successes with both our domestic and international partners to stop illegal firearms trafficking.
“ATF’s investigative expertise directly contributed to the successful apprehension of Videsh Chandoo preventing any further criminal activity. This effort reinforces our commitment to protect all communities from violent crime,” Driscoll added. (CMC)
