Police investigations that began on Friday, February 15 in the town of Ponta do Sol, on the island of Santo Antão, following the discovery of military-grade weaponry in a shipping container belonging to United States citizen Lawrence Scott Baker, have led to the arrest of an addition three suspects, one of whom is the holder of a passport from a Middle Eastern country. Since Saturday the case has been under the responsibility of the São Vicente Judiciary Police office, which is being aided by military specialists.

The government has ordered the creation of a "crisis office" to follow the investigations surrounding the discovery of a wide range of military armaments apparently belonging to US citizen Lawrence Scott Baker, who was arrested on Friday in the town of Ponta do Sol.

The case began on Thursday, February 14, when customs agents and Fiscal Police officers opened a shipping container imported from South Africa by the US citizen, who has been living in Ponta do Sol for more than three years.

In addition to furniture equipment, the container contained military armaments, including automatic rifles, explosives, uniforms and communications equipment. Later, in a home search ordered by the Public Ministry, addition material that, according to one source, could only be used for military purposes, was found.

During the court hearing held Saturday to determine the legalization of Bakers arrest, the Ribeira Grande district court judge ordered a second search of the Americans residence, which turned up various documents stored on digital media.

The case has been under the responsibility of the São Vicente Judiciary Police since Saturday, with assistance being provided by military experts. Saturday night, an additional three individuals, whose identities have yet to be released, were arrested as well. According to a reliable source, one of these individuals holds a passport from an unspecified Middle Eastern country.

In the opinion of one specialist, the four suspects in question appear to constitute a structured cell. Sources close to the investigations suggest that authorities should request assistance from the international community as soon as possible.