Four Vincentian Nationals were recently arrested after police conducted an operation between Sandy Beach and Savannes Bay, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force said this week.
“They were found in possession of suspected controlled drugs and other restricted imports,” Inspector in Charge of Gangs, Narcotics and Firearms, Shervon Matthieu, said on Monday.
The Vincentians were intercepted while disembarking an unregistered blue and white vessel, he said.
According to Matthieu, “One of the individuals, a Vincentian police officer, was also arrested during that operation.”
“On-site, Customs, Immigration, and officers from the Gangs, Narcotics and Firearms Unit conducted preliminary investigations. The suspects were transported to the Vieux Fort Police Station where they were formally informed of their rights. All four suspects namely Lamar Spooner, Colin Stay, Desserand Cooper, and Deno Lewis were formally charged with possession of controlled drugs and possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply to another by the investigators from the Gangs, Narcotics, and Firearms Unit (GNFU), Southern Extension,” he added.
The Immigration authorities are reviewing potential violations, including unauthorised entry and suspected prohibited immigrant status.
Restricted imports on the vessel (including marine products and illegally imported goods) were confiscated by the Customs and Excise Department.