The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) has announced a significant achievement after seizing cocaine with a street value of over one million dollars.
The operation was successfully executed in a single day, Monday 17 March 2025, leading to commendations from the police hierarchy for the officers involved, recognizing their commitment to an effective intelligence-driven initiative.
The Tactical Response Unit, along with the Gang, Narcotic, and Firearms (GNF) Unit – Southern Detachment, conducted the operation resulting in two arrests and a significant seizure of drugs and firearms.
At 2:30 a.m., officers stopped a vehicle at Vierge Point, Micoud. Lucius Popo, the driver from Babonneau, and Khery Richardson, the passenger from Castries, underwent a search. A Glock 25 .380 pistol, along with 15 rounds of ammunition and a Firearm User Licence (FUL) registered to Lucious Popo, were recovered.
Police reported that a thorough search revealed two black packages holding 50 blocks of a white substance, believed to be cocaine. Both individuals were apprehended and transported to the Micoud Police Station for additional inquiry, where they were officially made aware of their legal rights.
On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, investigators carried out formal interviews with the individuals alongside their legal representatives, after which both Popo and Richardson faced formal charges for the following indictable offences:
1. Possession of Controlled Drugs (Cocaine)
2. Possession of Controlled Drugs (Cocaine) with the Intent to Supply to Another
The Second District Court in Vieux Fort saw both defendants presented, leading to their remand into custody at the Bordelais Correctional Facility until April 17, 2025. The estimated street value of the seized cocaine is EC$1,431,750 (One million, four hundred thirty-one thousand, seven hundred fifty Eastern Caribbean dollars).
“The RSLPF extends its sincerest gratitude to every officer who contributed to the meticulous planning and execution of this operation. Your unwavering commitment to duty, professionalism, and teamwork was instrumental in this significant drug and firearm interdiction. The success of this operation is a testament to the dedication and resilience of our law enforcement officers, who work tirelessly to protect our communities and combat organized crime,” stated a release from the RSLPF.
The RSLPF acknowledged the contributions of the Central Intelligence Unit, the Tactical Response Unit, and the Gang, Narcotic, and Firearms Unit – Southern Detachment, highlighting that their collaboration and implementation of this mission demonstrated exemplary standards of policing.