Police issued dozens of traffic tickets, impounded several vehicles and seized drugs and weapons during joint operations on Wednesday. A Dennery man was also charged after the seizure of 4.70 kilogrammes of cannabis resin at the Vieux Fort seaport.
The operations involved officers from the Gangs, Narcotics and Firearms Unit, Central Intelligence Unit, Special Operations Team, Tactical Response Unit and the Department of Road Safety and Traffic Investigations.
According to a Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) statement issued on Friday, coordinated sweeps were conducted in Wiltons Yard, Grass Street, Jeremie Street, Lewis Street and Faux A Chaux in Castries, while traffic checks took place in areas including Deglos, Bexon, Sarrot, Ti Rocher, Chaussee, Bagatelle, Marchand, Union, Vigie and Calvary Road.
Police said 438 vehicles were stopped during the operation. Officers searched 27 vehicles and 107 individuals, issued 50 traffic tickets and made one arrest for a traffic offence.
They also recovered six knives, 15 scissors and 25 grammes of cannabis during the exercises.
Meanwhile, police said the Gangs, Narcotics and Firearms Unit and the Customs & Excise Department conducted a search and seizure operation at the Vieux Fort seaport during which a consignment in the name of Hayasher Gilbert of Au Leon, Dennery, was searched.
Officers recovered 4.7 kilogrammes of cannabis resin, and Gilbert was subsequently charged with possession of a controlled drug, possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply and importation of a controlled drug.
He appeared before the Second District Court on Thursday for bail proceedings and was granted bail in the sum of $55 000 cash or suitable surety.
The RSLPF said the operations were part of ongoing efforts to combat illicit trafficking, strengthen border security and improve public safety.
The exercises were conducted with support from the Central Intelligence Unit, Special Operations Team, Tactical Response Unit and the Department of Road Safety and Traffic Investigations.
This is a good move. However, for how long can this intervention be sustained? The tough guys will just go underground until things calm down to resume their nefarious and illegal acts.
The police can do all they want, when the cases reach the courts, the magistrates and judges side mostly with the perpetrators, they are let out on bail, given lenient sentences, issued with just warnings, soon they are back on the streets again, arrested for similar offenses, and the cycle continues! Is it any wonder why the rates of recidivism are so high!