Planned island wide operations by members of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force over the past weekend netted guns and ammunition and the arrest of two individuals.
Police yesterday reported that Saint Lucia was comprehensively covered with law enforcement exercises throughout its length and breadth last weekend, an indication that police fighting back against the prevalence of violent crime in the country.
Police confiscated three firearms and 57 rounds of ammunition over the weekend, with two persons being arrested for the offences of possession of unlicensed firearm and possession of unlicensed ammunition.
On Saturday 24th September 2022 about 6:30 p.m., the Soufriere Police carried out several searches in in the town and confiscated two 9mm firearms along with 21 rounds of ammunition, arresting a male individual in the process for the offences of possession of unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition.
On Sunday 25th September 2022 about 12 noon, police stationed in Gros Islet arrested a male individual in the town for the offences of possession of unlicensed firearm and possession of six rounds of ammunition.
About 8:00 p.m. on that same day, the Gros Islet Police confiscated 27 rounds of ammunition at Massade.
It is expected that the two men arrested for firearm and ammunition offences will be charged under the amended Firearms Act where the penalties for those offences were recently made more stringent by Parliament, ranging from a minimum fine of $50,000 up to 10 years in prison or both.
Thanking all police officers for their unwavering support in safeguarding the national security of Saint Lucia were Police Commissioner Milton Desir along with the executive branch of the Royal St. Lucia Police Force. The officers were encouraged to continue to render their selfless service in protecting the lives and property of the citizenry, steadfastly relying on their exemplary dedication to duty and manifest discipline.