The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force has reported a series of significant operations across Saint Lucia, resulting in the recovery of firearms, ammunition, and narcotics, along with multiple arrests and charges.
In one operation conducted on Wednesday, March 25, officers carried out coordinated searches in Dennery and the Dennery Valley.
“During the search of a residence at Aux Lyons, a quantity of suspected cannabis resin was discovered,” police stated. “One person, 37-year-old Giselle James, was arrested and subsequently charged with Possession of Controlled Drugs and Possession of Controlled Drugs with Intent to Supply.”
Authorities confirmed that James was granted bail in the sum of $10,000, cash or suitable surety.
A separate search at Green Mountain in Dennery also led to the recovery of ammunition.
“Five rounds of .380 ammunition were recovered,” the release noted. “Two individuals, 21-year-old Denis Bertrand and 24-year-old Akyma Flavien, were arrested and later charged with Possession of Ammunition.”
Flavien was granted bail of $1,000, while Bertrand was granted bail of $5,000, both with the option of cash or suitable surety.
Meanwhile, a targeted southern operation on Tuesday, March 24 uncovered illegal firearms, and drugs at a suspected cannabis plantation in La Ressource.
“Officers encountered five male individuals at a suspected cannabis plantation where signs of recent harvesting were observed,” police reported. “A search resulted in the recovery of two firearms, assorted ammunition, suspected cannabis resin and cannabis plants.”
Six individuals were arrested in connection with the operation, with charges brought against four.
“Eighteen-year-old Nathan Augustin has been charged with two counts of Possession of Firearm, two counts of Possession of Ammunition, Possession of Controlled Drugs, and Possession of Controlled Drugs with Intent to Supply,” police said, adding that he was granted bail totaling $47,500.
Additional charges were laid against 20-year-old Kyron Junior Celise, 28-year-old Keri Neptune and 34-year-old Dwayne William, each facing drug-related offences, including possession and cultivation. All three were granted bail in the sum of $2,000.
In a separate development, the Major Crimes Unit has charged two additional individuals in connection with a homicide in Ciceron.
“Twenty-three-year-old Sanjay Papius and 25-year-old Mayim King were formally charged with the offence of murder on March 27 in relation to the fatal shooting of 25-year-old Givanni Andrew Joseph, also known as ‘Zuzu’,” police confirmed.
Both men have been remanded to the Bordelais Correctional Facility.
Authorities noted that this brings the number of individuals charged in the matter to three, following the earlier charging of 20-year-old Vonelle Degazon on March 6, who also remains on remand.
Police further revealed that Papius and King had previously been charged with firearm-related offences after a vehicle interception in Gros Islet.
“The search resulted in the recovery of two firearms, eighteen rounds of .40 caliber ammunition, forty-six rounds of 9mm ammunition, and one extended magazine,” the release stated.
The latest operations form part of ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat crime and disrupt illegal activity across the island.
