The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) has made a breakthrough in a drug interdiction operation at Port Castries, resulting in the arrest and charging of employees of the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA). The intelligence-led operation, which involved the Customs and Excise Department and the Gangs, Narcotics and Firearms Unit (GNFU}, commenced on the afternoon of Friday, 17th October 2025.
During the operation, officers intercepted a grey van, driven by Cyril Joseph, a Red Cap assigned to the port. A search of a barrel found in the vehicle, one which had not been cleared or presented for customs inspection, uncovered a significant quantity of controlled drugs.
The search led to the seizure of 4,103 grams of Cannabis (plant material), 12,128 grams of Cannabis Resin (Hashish) and 1,045 grams of MDMA Crystals
The estimated total street value of the seized drugs is Seven hundred and five thousand, six hundred and eighty-six dollars and fifty cents {EC$705,686.50}.
A subsequent review of additional evidence revealed a coordinated effort among several port employees to circumvent customs procedures. This discovery prompted the arrest of three additional SLASPA employees on Monday, 20th October 2025. A search conducted at Ian Moncherry’s residence one of the employees arrested resulted in the discovery of an additional 105 grams of Cannabis Resin, valued at approximatelyEC$4,200.00.
On Wednesday, 22nd October 2025, Ian Moncherry was charged with Three (3) counts of Aiding and Abetting the Importation of a Controlled Drug, Three (3) counts of Fraudulent Evasion of Customs Duties and Controls under the Customs Act, One (1) count of Possession of a Controlled Drug (Cannabis Resin) and One (1) count of Possession of a Controlled Drug (Cannabis Resin) with Intent to Supply.
Cyril Joseph was charged with Three (3) counts of Importation of a Controlled Drug, Three (3) counts of Possession of a Controlled Drug, Three (3) counts of Possession of a Controlled Drug with Intent to Supply and Three (3) counts of Fraudulent Evasion of Customs Duties and Controls
Nadia Edward was charged with Three (3) counts of Aiding and Abetting the Importation of a Controlled Drug and Three (3) counts of Fraudulent Evasion of Customs Duties and Controls.
All three accused were taken to the First District Court on Friday, October 24, 2025, and granted bail in the sum of EC$45,000.00 each, either in cash or by suitable surety. Investigations remain active and ongoing. A fourth suspect has been released pending further investigations as inquiries continue.
The RSLPF says the operation demonstrates its commitment to safeguarding our borders and ensuring that those entrusted with national assets uphold the highest standards of integrity. The RSLPF and Customs and Excise Department further emphasized that illegal drugs and firearms entering through our ports directly fuel violent crime, gang activity, and homicides within our communities. The presence of these items on our streets contributes to increased shootings, robberies, and drug-related violence. As such, the police and customs will continue to target both the suppliers and facilitators behind these illicit networks, including those who use their positions of trust within critical institutions to aid criminal operations. This operation is a clear message that corruption and criminal collusion will not be tolerated.