In a significant breakthrough amid the recent surge in gun-related violence across the island, officers of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) have apprehended a suspect found in possession of two illegal firearms and a substantial quantity of ammunition.
The arrest occurred around 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 10, 2025, near the Rose Hill/Morne Du Don junction, in the vicinity of Wilton’s Yard. According to police reports, officers on duty approached a suspicious individual, and a subsequent search led to the discovery of two illegal firearms: a Glock .45 pistol loaded with fourteen (14) rounds of ammunition, and a black pistol loaded with seventeen (17) rounds of 9mm ammunition.
The individual was identified as Derek Charles, a 19-year-old resident of La Feuillet, Monchy.
Following the operation, Charles was formally charged on Friday, July 11, 2025, with Possession of Firearm and Possession of Ammunition. He appeared before the First District Court on Monday, July 14, 2025, for bail proceedings and was granted bail in the sum of ninety thousand dollars (EC$90,000), along with other court-imposed conditions.
The RSLPF has praised the efforts of all units involved in the operation, highlighting their professionalism and commitment to public safety.
“We remain steadfast in our mission to protect our citizens and ensure the safety and security of our communities,” the police force stated in a release.
This development marks another step in the RSLPF’s continued effort to crack down on illegal firearms and restore calm amid rising concerns about gun violence across Saint Lucia.