Eight people have been charged following a joint police operation in the Castries communities of Wilton’s Yard, Belair and Dierre Fort that led to the seizure of suspected cannabis and the arrest of a man wanted in connection with an armed robbery.
The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force said in a statement on Wednesday that the operation was carried out on May 28 by officers attached to the Gangs, Narcotics and Firearms Unit, with support from the Criminal Investigations Department, Central Intelligence Unit and Tactical Response Unit.
Police said a search warrant executed at a residence in Wilton’s Yard resulted in the seizure of a quantity of suspected cannabis and cannabis plants. Ishon Joseph, 21, was arrested.
Search warrants carried out in Dierre Fort led to the seizure of more suspected cannabis and several cannabis plants. Arrested were 21-year-old Naheem Samuel, 45-year-old Thecla Joseph, 46-year-old Marcus Joseph, 21-year-old Leon James, also known as “Tikko Bolom”, 36-year-old Ryan Louis, also known as “Spartacus”, and a 17-year-old male.
Police also arrested 31-year-old Kerius Polius, also known as “Shortcrop”, during the execution of a search warrant in Belair. They said he was wanted in connection with an armed robbery that occurred along Darling Road, Castries, on May 7.
On May 29, Ishon Joseph, Samuel, Thecla Joseph, Marcus Joseph, James, Louis and the juvenile were charged with cultivation of cannabis, possession of a controlled drug, and possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply.
Samuel, Thecla Joseph, Marcus Joseph, James, Louis and the juvenile later appeared before the First District Court, where they were each granted bail of $1 500 on their own recognisance.
Joseph appeared before the First District Court on June 1 and pleaded guilty to the charges. He was fined $4 200 and placed on probation for one year. The court ordered him to pay the fine within six months or face six months’ imprisonment.
Meanwhile, Polius was formally charged on June 2 with robbery and possession of ammunition without a valid licence. He appeared before the First District Court today and was granted bail of $5 000 on the robbery charge and $10 000 on the ammunition charge.
