Police have scored a victory in their fight against the illegal arms trade, arresting and charging a Saint Lucian national with American citizenship for possession of a gun and more than 220 bullets.
Chester Garner-Ernest was taken into custody after a search warrant was executed at his premises in Carellie, Castries, on December 12, and it was confirmed that he did not have a firearm licence.
During the search, police recovered a .380 firearm, a .22 magazine, 10 rounds of 12-gauge ammunition, 20 rounds of 5.56 ammunition, 194 rounds of .22 ammunition, and a quantity of compressed marijuana.
Garner-Ernest has been charged with possession of a firearm, three counts of possession of ammunition, possession of controlled drugs, and possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply.
The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) lauded the operation as a breakthrough in combating the illegal gun trade.
“The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force continues its investigations into the trafficking of weapons into the country, through collaborations with partner agencies, such as the Customs and Excise Department. This recovery is testament to the dedicated efforts of law enforcement officials in identifying and arresting the illicit movement of firearms and ammunition across our borders,” the RSLPF said in a statement on Monday.
Any third-party or user posts, comments, replies, and third-party entries published on the St. Lucia Times website (https://stluciatimes.com) in no way convey the thoughts, sentiments or intents of St. Lucia Times, the author of any said article or post, the website, or the business. St. Lucia Times is not responsible or liable for, and does not endorse, any comments or replies posted by users and third parties, and especially the content therein and whether it is accurate.
St. Lucia Times reserves the right to remove, screen, edit, or reinstate content posted by third parties on this website or any other online platform owned by St. Lucia Times (this includes the said user posts, comments, replies, and third-party entries) at our sole discretion for any reason or no reason, and without notice to you, or any user. For example, we may remove a comment or reply if we believe it violates any part of the St. Lucia Criminal Code, particularly section 313 which pertains to the offence of Libel. Except as required by law, we have no obligation to retain or provide you with copies of any content you as a user may post, or any other post or reply made by any third-party on this website or any other online platform owned by St. Lucia Times. All third-parties and users agree that this is a public forum, and we do not guarantee any confidentiality with respect to any content you as a user may post, or any other post or reply made by any third-party on this website. Any posts made and information disclosed by you is at your own risk.
Great Christmas bust officers!.
That’s the way it should be. But why was the article on Noel Nugent, the British man accused of assault which was captured on video for all the world to see, removed after just a couple of hours and this one is still there!
He’ll soon be out on Bail for Christmas.
Great job officers, thank you. Now how about busting the rest of them. This is just the tip of the iceberg. How about bringing back “Operation Restore Confidence” to rid the society of these gangsters, so law-abiding civilized people can enjoy the full extent of their freedom.
Take take out the trash good one but should show his face
How gullible can you people be? He will get bail and be back on the streets in a month max. Just watch. The only thing the police are hot on are guns. Makes you wonder why. Like a priest said on Sunday, the people breaking the laws such as playing loud music in the neighbourhood with their boom boxes on top of their cars pass by the police station next to where he lives everyday. Several times a day. No arrests. People speed. No arrest or caution. They themselves are speeding with the police vehicles. I am beginning to suspect that everyone from the magistrate down gets a cut of the bail money.
The public wants an update on the 20 or 40 foot container of drugs found at a business place in the north several months, if not years ago. Please and thanks
Looking for equal treatment for all CRIMINALS across the board.
Well now he has to say goodbye to his American citizenship officer’s make sure you seized his passport away Donald Trump doesn’t want criminals in his country
BYE FELICIA
Not surprised.,,,,…..I have been saying it for the longest time our own people are the ones that are responsible for the high rate of gun violence in the country they are the one’s bringing in the guns along with a few business people It has become profitable selling guns and ammunition from under the counter. It’s a growing and lucrative business you see this week straight thru new years bojay bojay bojay barrels come down. The politicians are afraid to call out diasporaians St Lucian’s for mashing up their homeland. Oh no they not doing that all they care about is working hard and getting a green card NOT ALL OF THEM. Well I will call them out WITH PLEASURE Lucian’s in TEXAS, FLORIDA (Dade County) Miami, New York, North and South Carolina, Atlanta, STOP MASHING UP THE COUNTRY. Some of you Syrians need to go back home NOW, it’s easier to blame poor ghetto youths instead of looking at them with their businesses, who in the know knows. When have you read or heard of fishermen been caught at sea guns with ammo ?? Drugs yes, but not guns and ammo.
You notice how quiet this is….. oh we are so up in arms and outraged, but let the headlines had read a foreign national was caught with an abundance of guns and ammo …. throw in a Boggy Man for explosive .,..like a Jamaican O LORD !!! Pass me the Guillotine it not splitting hairs quick enough it needs to be sharpened.
It would serve St. Lucia well to keep him right there in jail where he belongs.
Thank you officers. Criminals rely on the decency of society to perpetrate their crimes.