Eight charged following police operation in Castries: cannabis and armed robbery

Eight persons have been charged following a joint police operation in Wilton's Yard, Belair and Dierre Fort. Cannabis was seized and a suspect wanted in connection with an armed robbery was arrested.

Eight suspects brought before court following drug raids in three Castries districts

Stluciatimes.com reports that eight persons have been charged following a joint police operation in the Castries communities of Wilton's Yard, Belair and Dierre Fort. The operation on 28 May resulted in the seizure of suspected cannabis and the arrest of a man wanted in connection with an armed robbery.

The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force announced this on Wednesday in a statement. The operation was carried out by the Gangs, Narcotics and Firearms Unit, supported by the Criminal Investigations Department, the Central Intelligence Unit and the Tactical Response Unit.

Raids and arrests

In Wilton's Yard, a residence was searched on the basis of a search warrant. A quantity of suspected cannabis and cannabis plants were seized. The 21-year-old Ishon Joseph was arrested.

In Dierre Fort, multiple searches resulted in the seizure of further suspected cannabis and various 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 boy.

In Belair, police arrested 31-year-old Kerius Polius, also known as "Shortcrop", during the execution of a search warrant. Polius was wanted in connection with an armed robbery that took place on 7 May on Darling Road in Castries.

Charges and court proceedings

On 29 May, Ishon Joseph, Samuel, Thecla Joseph, Marcus Joseph, James, Louis and the minor 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 minor subsequently appeared before the First District Court, where they were each released on their own recognisance for 1,500 dollars.

Joseph appeared on 1 June before the First District Court and pleaded guilty to the charges against him. The court imposed a fine of 4,200 dollars and placed him under supervision for one year. The fine is to be paid within six months, and failure to do so will result in a prison sentence of six months.

Polius was formally charged on 2 June with robbery and possession of ammunition without a valid licence. He appeared today before the First District Court and was released on bail: 5,000 dollars for the robbery charge and 10,000 dollars for the ammunition charge.

Source: Google News LC — Crime