The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force announced a significant drug seizure and a sharp decline in road fatalities during its monthly press briefing on Thursday.
Officers revealed that investigators intercepted nearly 196.2 kilograms of cocaine in a major bust on Wednesday, underscoring intensified efforts to combat drug trafficking through both official and unofficial ports. They also highlighted that road deaths dropped by a third over the past year, crediting enhanced enforcement and public awareness campaigns for the improvement.
Subjects addressed during the briefing also included firearm seizures, canine-assisted operations and police recruitment.
Ongoing Firearm, Drug Interceptions
While the RSLPF did not share further details about a recent firearm bust at a local port, Police Commissioner Verne Garde emphasised that such interceptions are part of a sustained effort.
“In regards to the recent seizure of firearms at the port, it is a continuous activity,” said Garde. “We saw in 2019, 2020, one of the largest confiscations of weapons in Saint Lucia; I think it was about 20 firearms in total. We also saw other interceptions of firearms throughout the years. Last year, I’m on record saying that in the latter part of last year we registered almost the interception of one firearm every other day and many rounds of ammunition. So it’s a continued exercise for the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force. It’s nothing new.”
He added that officers remain committed to the task. “We have a situation where officers are motivated and they are dedicated to perform the responsibility given to them by the Constitution of Saint Lucia. I want to say thank you to all my staff, both civilian and officers, for the work that they have done. The investigation is ongoing, and I have no doubt that there will be arrests and charges in regards to the operation.”
Canines Help in Big Cocaine Bust
Police Commissioner Garde also announced the successful integration of two canines donated by France, which have already supported the force’s narcotics and firearms operations.
“The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force will remain vigilant on both the formal ports and the porous ports that we have throughout the island to ensure that we reduce the opportunity for crime and criminality, not only for the recovery of firearms and ammunition but for all implements that are illegal,” he said. “We’re going to press on to ensure that we survey and do what we have to do.”
He explained that he and the Minister of National Security recently travelled to Martinique for high-level talks with French officials. “We had some good conversations on a national security basis with the French, and they donated two canines to the RSLPF. We built the infrastructure for the canines, we’ve allowed for proper conveyance of these canines to and from the current location, and we are now seeing part of the results.”
One such result: a major narcotics bust earlier this week. “Up to yesterday, we did an activity on one of our unofficial ports, and that culminated in the recovery of almost 196.2 kilograms of cocaine,” Garde disclosed. “That is an indicator that our activities at both our porous and official ports are the same. We give the same kind of reference to both of these areas.”
Dr Mashema Sealy, who heads multiple divisions, confirmed that the canines are consistently deployed in the field. “We’re training consistently, and in every operation that the gangs, narcotics, and firearms units take part in, they are deployed with the unit. The recovery of the 196.2 kilos of cocaine – they would have also been part of that operation.”
Road Safety Strategy Sees Results
Providing an update on road safety, Sealy said the police have implemented a plan to ease traffic congestion and reduce road fatalities, especially during peak hours.
“There is a plan. I’m not going to go into the intimate details, but what I will say is that we do have peak traffic hours throughout the day. You will see the outriders and other officers out during those hours to ensure a flow for the traffic,” she explained. “We continue our traffic checks, patrols and operations to ensure that the streets of Saint Lucia are safer, including trying to decrease the number of fatalities.”
According to Sealy, early results are encouraging. “When we did a comparative analysis between January to May 2024 and January to May 2025, we saw a 33% decrease in fatalities on our streets. So it means that the plan is working.”
Immigration and Recruitment Initiatives
Police Commissioner Garde also noted improvements in immigration staffing and transparency in the vetting process for new recruits.
“We do quite a bit to ensure that we have a good immigration process. I think in the last month and a half, we’ve increased our personnel at the Immigration Department by 11 staff and also, I think, three supervisors,” he said.
He added that the next round of vetting for new police recruits will begin soon. “We are proceeding into the next vetting process within the next two weeks. It starts in or around the June 17, where we will be vetting 200 staff. The budget is already set aside. We have contacted the RSS, which is the independent agency responsible for that vetting, and I must say that Saint Lucia is one of the leading islands in the Caribbean actively participating in that level of vetting.”
Truckers strike is helping bust containers!!! ….Thanks to FF for another Canine Officer.
So all these drug bust and firearms interceptions, who did you arrest! Who is it going to? Someone has to be responsible for all that … That is a substantial amount of drugs and firearm and unless you can tell us of an arrest (although we appreciate your efforts) I personally cannot give you full praise.
Let’s hope that gun ting don’t go the way of all the others where big people are incriminated.
Dat amount of cocaine should be highly guarded with security cameras and all cuz sooner or later this cocaine will go missing and or be replace with flour and baking soda.