On Friday, November 15, 2024, the Drug Unit and Police Marine Unit conducted a joint land and sea operation from the Fond Bay (Malgretoute Beach) area to Praslin.
Officers attached to the Marine Unit observed suspicious patterns of a vessel and communicated with a land-based team, which resulted in the apprehension of two foreign nationals and a Saint Lucian National.
Officers attached to the Drug Unit engaged the occupants of a motorcar, after having observed its use of fraudulent plates.
The driver evaded arrest; however, the passengers were apprehended by officers.
A subsequent search of the vehicle and their persons, resulted in the seizure of a quantity of suspected cocaine, a .38 revolver with a magazine containing six (6) rounds of ammunition and a .380 pistol with a magazine containing twelve (12) rounds of ammunition.
Colombian National, Cesar Freyder Rodriguez Sanguino and Venezuelan National Victor Mannel Arzolay, were arrested by the team. They were subsequently charged with Possession of Firearm and Ammunition, Possession of a Controlled Drug to wit “Cocaine” and Possession of a Controlled Drug with Intent to Supply.
The Police Marine Unit engaged the vessel on its return from making a landing. The captain Kenneth Flavien of Dennery, was arrested, after a search of the vessel resulted in the seizure of a quantity of cocaine.
He was arrested and formally charged with Possession of a Controlled Drug to wit “Cocaine” and Possession with Intent to Supply.
The operation resulted in the seizure of approximately five hundred and twenty-six kilograms (526kgs) of suspected cocaine. All arrested persons were remanded into custody at the Bordelais Correctional Facility, pending further case management.
Source: Royal Saint Lucia Police Force
