Police say the New Year celebrations at Assou Square were largely peaceful, despite a handful of incidents that required law enforcement intervention over the holiday period.
Providing an update, WSPC Zane Romulus reported that one of the more serious incidents occurred on Bourbon Street on New Year’s Day.
“At 4.45 p.m., the Special Operations Team conducted a search of an individual along Bourbon Street. During the search, the officer recovered a pistol and 13 rounds of ammunition from a pouch on the individual,” Romulus said.
She added that the suspect was taken into custody and that “charges are expected to be refiled later this week.”
Police also detailed the arrest and charging of a 27-year-old man following a disturbance during a stage performance. Romulus said 27-year-old Don Clery of Banse, Laborie allegedly climbed onto a stage and refused to step down.
“He was subsequently arrested, but during the process he attempted to strike a police recruit, resisted officers, swore and kicked a sergeant. And he also damaged his shirt,” Romulus stated.
According to police, Clery was taken to the Vieux Fort Police Station, where he made threatening remarks towards an inspector. On Sunday, 4 January 2026, he was formally charged with two counts of threatening words, counts of assault on police officers, damage to property, use of obscene language and resisting arrest.
In a separate operation not directly linked to the Assou Square festivities, Romulus outlined a major drug enforcement action carried out in the south of the island. He said that on Monday, 29 December 2025, officers attached to the Gangs, Narcotics and Firearms Unit Southern Detachment, along with officers from the Choiseul Police Station, executed a search warrant at the premises of 41-year-old Delecus Alphonse of Choiseul.
“During the operation, three cannabis plantations were discovered. Over 5,000 cannabis plants were rooted, and over seven kilograms of cannabis were recovered from his residence,” Romulus said. Alphonse was arrested and later charged with possession of a controlled drug, possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply, and cultivation of a controlled plant.
He appeared before the Second District Court in Newfort on Tuesday, 30 December 2025, where he was granted bail in the sum of $9,600 cash or suitable surety.
As part of his bail conditions, Alphonse must report to the Schroeder Police Station every Saturday between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., surrender all travel documents, and not leave the country without the court’s permission. He is scheduled to reappear before the Second District Court on 11 February 2026.
Police say investigations into all incidents are continuing as they maintain their presence at public events to ensure the safety and security of patrons.