V.I. police are looking into the delivery of an automatic weapon through the mail earlier this week to a government office on St. Thomas.

According to police reports, the firearm, an AK-47 assault rifle, was confiscated by police and turned over to the forensic unit for testing.

Officers were dispatched to the building shortly before 1:30 p.m. Monday. When they arrived, an employee of the agency told police she picked up several packages from the receptionist area. When she opened the package in question, she saw the firearm and notified her supervisor.

The police would not confirm published reports that the agency that received the weapon was the Government Employees Retirement System.

"I can't comment on that," Public Information Officer Melody Rames said.

GERS Executive Director Austin Nibbs declined to answer or return phone calls from the Source asking whether his agency had received the weapon in the mail. GERS spokesperson Tia Liburd said only Nibbs could comment for the agency.

Anyone with information about the origin of the weapon and how or why it was sent to GERS can contact detectives at 714-9844 or 714-9805, or call the anonymous tip service Crime Stoppers USVI at 1-800-222-TIPS.