ON Friday September 15, 2023 in the course of a police operation in Babonneau, Officers had reasonable grounds to stop and search a motor vehicle that was occupied by two individuals namely Kestan Akem Delaire, 29, of Fond Assau, Babonneau and Princess Mathurin, 24, of Ciceron, Castries.
The officers found and confiscated a Glock 40 pistol along with a magazine loaded with 13 rounds of ammunition. Upon closer examination, it was discovered that the weapon was equipped with an Auto Sear. An auto sear is a component that can be used to convert a semi-automatic pistol into a fully automatic pistol, thereby increasing its lethality.
The occupants were arrested for the offences of Possession of Firearm and Possession of Ammunition without a Valid Licence after they failed to produce a valid Firearm User Licence.
Kestan Delaire and Princess Mathurin were charged for these offences, contrary to Section 21A (1)(a) of the Firearms Act chapter 14.12 of the Revised Laws of Saint Lucia 2013 as amended by Section 9 of the Firearm Amendment Act No. 18 of 2022.
The pair were presented before a Magistrate’s Court for purpose of bail, where they were subsequently remanded into custody.