Three Saint Lucian nationals were arrested at sea this week after they were found with 20 kilograms (kilos) of cocaine.
The Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) broke the news in a statement on Thursday.
The men have been identified as Dolton “Degree” John, 32, a fisherman from Castries; Moses “Laygay” Barbour, 50, a steel bender from Vieux Fort; and Ezra “Will” Henry, 49, self-employed, from Castries.
According to the RSVGPF, John, Barbour and Henry were apprehended after a coordinated effort between the Coast Guard and the Rapid Response Unit (RRU). They have been charged with conspiracy, possession of controlled drugs, and drug trafficking.
“The Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force continues to demonstrate an uncompromising stance in its battle against drug trafficking, further solidifying its commitment to safeguarding our nation’s borders,” the RSVGPF said in its statement on Facebook, noting that it marks yet another victory in the ongoing fight against narcotics.
The accused appeared before the Serious Offenses Court on Wednesday, where they pleaded not guilty. The matter has been adjourned to October 17, 2024, and the defendants have been remanded into custody at His Majesty’s Prison (HMP) pending trial.
“The RSVGPF’s efforts did not stop there. Acting on intelligence, the RRU conducted a search in the Hamilton area of Bequia, where officers discovered three additional kilograms of cocaine hidden in a buried bucket. The total amount of cocaine seized in these operations is 22,243 grams, with an estimated street value of $460,000 Eastern Caribbean Dollars,” the RSVGPF said in its statement.
“The Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force remains relentless in its pursuit of those who seek to undermine the security of our nation through illegal drug activities. The RSVGPF is committed to bringing traffickers to justice and will continue to take strong, decisive action to disrupt and dismantle the operations of those involved in this illicit trade,” stated the Vincentian police force.
The RSVGPF urged the public to continue reporting suspicious activities and “reassures the nation that no effort will be spared in bringing those responsible for drug-related crimes to justice.”