Former Cop Franz Paul Nabbed With Gun and Weed
September 10 2025
A La Penitence businessman was arrested yesterday evening after police found him in possession of an unlicensed firearm, ammunition, and a substantial quantity of suspected narcotics.
According to a Police report, acting on information, ranks intercepted a black Honda Vezel bearing number plate PAH 2167 on Vlissengen Road near the Square of the Revolution.
The vehicle was owned and driven by 39-year-old Franz Paul, a businessman and former policeman residing on Middle Road, La Penitence.
Paul was the sole occupant of the vehicle when police identified themselves and requested he step out.
A search revealed a .22 pistol in his pants pocket, loaded with two live rounds.
When questioned, Paul admitted he did not hold a firearm license.
Further inspection of the vehicle uncovered a large garbage bag behind the front passenger seat containing two parcels wrapped in transparent tape, which held leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be Cannabis.
The total weight of the narcotics amounted to 2,267 grams.
Paul was arrested and escorted to Ruimveldt Police Station along with the firearm, ammunition, vehicle, and suspected drugs.
The firearm and ammunition were secured for ballistic examination, while the narcotics were weighed and lodged as evidence.
Paul remains in police custody pending formal charges.
In 2018, Paul was discharged in connection with a 2014 incident in which 16-year-old Alex Griffith was shot in the mouth during a game of Russian roulette.
Paul had been on trial for allegedly discharging a loaded firearm with intent to maim, disable, disfigure, or cause grievous bodily harm. Griffith, who sustained serious injuries, had been hospitalized following the shooting
.
That same year, Paul’s wife accused him of drawing a loaded handgun and threatening to shoot her during a domestic dispute. A neighbour intervened and disarmed him before alerting police.
In 2014, Paul had also faced charges alongside another policeman for conspiring to pervert the course of justice.
However, this matter was dismissed in 2017 by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan due to insufficient evidence.
