Surinamese national indicted in Miami for arms smuggling to Suriname

Bidjaikoemar ‘Jerry’ Nanhoe, a 60-year-old Surinamese national, has been indicted in Miami for attempting to smuggle a large arsenal of weapons and ammunition to Suriname.

Federal authorities, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the ATF, intercepted a shipment at Seven Winds Shipping in Miami. The cargo, which was declared as household goods such as refrigerators, coolers, and storage bins, contained nine rifles, six pistols, 5,140 rounds of ammunition, 59 magazines, and numerous firearm components. To evade detection, the weapons and parts were meticulously concealed under lead plates within the containers, while ammunition was hidden inside the walls of the cooling appliances.

Nanhoe faces federal charges including smuggling goods from the United States and illegal firearms trafficking, which carry a potential sentence of up to 15 years. While the legal proceedings focus on Nanhoe, the investigation raises significant security questions regarding the intended recipients of the weapons in Suriname and the original source of the firearms.