An island-wide police operation targeting illegal firearms, narcotics and organised criminal activity has resulted in the recovery of seven illegal firearms, more than 1 000 rounds of ammunition and dozens of dangerous weapons, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) has announced.
According to the RSLPF, Operation Zero Hour, which ran from May 24 to July 1, was launched in response to an increase in serious and violent crime across the island, particularly offences involving illegal firearms, dangerous weapons, narcotics and organised criminal activity.
The intelligence-led operation involved officers from the Gangs, Narcotics and Firearms Unit (GNFU), Special Services Unit (SSU), Division of Road Safety and Traffic Investigations (DRSTI), Police Marine Unit (PMU), Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Vulnerable Persons Team (VPT), patrol teams, and the Northern, Central and Southern divisions.
Police said the operation focused on targeting known offenders, executing intelligence-driven search warrants, disrupting the movement of illegal firearms and narcotics, increasing police visibility and preventing criminal activity before it occurred.
During the operation, officers searched 484 people, stopped 4 851 vehicles, searched 216 vehicles and 17 premises, and executed 49 search warrants.
Police also conducted seven courier sweeps, four highway patrols, and stopped and boarded 37 vessels.
The operation recorded nine traffic arrests, 16 drug arrests, seven firearm arrests and 12 arrests for offences including murder, attempted murder, robbery and assault. Police also reported that 12 people were charged.
Officers also recovered seven illegal firearms, 1 006 rounds of ammunition and 54 dangerous weapons, while conducting three cannabis eradication exercises.
Additionally, police impounded 48 vehicles, issued 453 traffic tickets and 45 police cautions.
According to the RSLPF, the recovery of the firearms, ammunition and dangerous weapons “represents a significant disruption to criminal activity and undoubtedly prevented potential acts of violence”.
The police force also said the execution of search warrants, drug arrests, cannabis eradication exercises and extensive vehicle and vessel checks demonstrated its commitment to removing illegal firearms, drugs and dangerous offenders from communities.
The RSLPF said the operation highlighted the importance of collaboration among specialised units and territorial divisions, adding that intelligence gathering, sustained enforcement and proactive policing helped enhance public safety and strengthen public confidence.
Police are encouraging anyone with information about criminal activity to contact the nearest police station, Crime Hotline 555, or the Crime Hotline app.
