In a two-day operation targeting drug trafficking and illegal firearms, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) confiscated nearly $5 million worth of cocaine and cannabis resin, alongside a Colt .357 revolver.
The largest bust occurred at Dauphin Beach, where officers uncovered 196.56 kilograms of cocaine, valued at $4.9 million, hidden in a camouflaged dinghy. Meanwhile, in Mon Repos, a separate raid yielded 52 grammes of cannabis resin and the firearm, leading to the arrest of Kyle Devonte Serieux, who was later granted bail.
Additionally, at the Vieux Fort Port, authorities intercepted 10.35 kilogrammes of cannabis resin, worth $68 100, concealed in imported food shipments from New York. No arrests have been made in that case.
Cocaine at Dauphin Beach
The RSLPF said on Friday that over $3.8 million worth of cocaine was seized at Dauphin Beach in Monchy on Wednesday.
Through efforts by the Gangs, Narcotics and Firearms Unit, the Central Intelligence Unit, the Special Operations Team, K9 Unit, and the Special Services Unit, officers say a strategic sweep on the beach and nearby vegetation lead them to a camouflaged dinghy tucked along the shoreline. Inside 175 brick-shaped packages containing a white powdery substance was discovered.
“Field tests confirmed the substance to be cocaine. The total weight of the narcotics amounted to 196.56 kilogrammes, with an estimated street value of EC$4 914 000 (equivalent to over USD$3.85 million),” said Inspector Shervon Matthieu, head of the Gangs, Narcotics and Firearms Unit, in a statement on Friday.
“This seizure demonstrates the operational effectiveness and robust inter-agency coordination of the RSLPF.”
Cannabis resin, firearm in Mon Repos
On Thursday, the Southern Detachment of the Gangs, Narcotics and Firearms Unit, alongside the Tactical Response Unit South, conducted searches in Desruisseaux and Mon Repos.
Police found a black Colt .357 revolver, two rounds of .357 Magnum ammunition, and a quantity of cannabis resin totalling around 52 grammes at Serieux’s residence in Mon Repos.
Serieux was immediately arrested and escorted to the Vieux Fort Police Station. According to police, he was then charged and later appeared before the Second District Court, where he was granted bail in the sum of $22 000, either in cash or through a suitable surety.
Vieux Fort Port cannabis resin find
Also on Thursday, May 29, following two weeks of surveillance in partnership with Customs and Excise South, the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA), and the Scenes of Crime Unit South, officers from the Southern Detachment of the Gangs, Narcotics and Firearms Unit and K9 Unit uncovered cannabis resin inside imported food products at the Vieux Fort Port.
“A suspicious package, originating from New York City, had been flagged during routine inspections and repeatedly indicated positively by the K9 Unit,” Matthieu said. “Inside a large cardboard box filled with assorted food and household items, investigators discovered strong indications of narcotics.”
Police said further inspection led to the discovery of five food containers with 25 vacuum-sealed black plastic packages containing a substance suspected to be cannabis resin concealed among “familiar grocery products.”
“The recovered suspected cannabis resin weighed approximately 10.35 kilogrammes, with an estimated street value of $68 100,” stated Matthieu.
According to police the intended consignee of the package is unaccounted for, and no arrests have been made. “However, investigators have identified multiple persons of interest and are actively pursuing several leads. The RSLPF continues to work closely with SLASPA and Customs in progressing this investigation.”
In concluding his statement, Matthieu extended commendation from Police Commissioner Verne Garde to officers involved in the operations, praising their “dedication, vigilance and professionalism”.
“The RSLPF remains resolute in its fight against transnational crime,” said Matthieu. “We will continue to use every available resource and intelligence-led strategy to bring offenders to justice and uphold the rule of law.”
