The recent recovery of 17 firearms at Port Castries, including AR-15 rifles, high-capacity magazines, and tactical gear, has exposed a growing threat to national security and public safety on the small island nation.
A seizure, which occurred on August 22, 2022, at Shed 6, Port Castries, is part of a broader investigation that has linked multiple illegal imports to Chester Garner Ernest, a dual citizen of Saint Lucia and the United States. A December 2024 search at his residence in Careille uncovered a Cobra .380 pistol concealed in sneakers, 264 rounds of ammunition hidden in a false air-conditioning vent, and compressed cannabis.
Ernest was formally charged on July 4, 2025, with three counts of firearm importation under Section 31A of the Firearms (Amendment) Act. His case forms part of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force’s (RSLPF) broader crackdown on transnational arms trafficking. Investigations are ongoing and involve collaboration with international law enforcement, including the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
This latest recovery adds to a worrying number of firearms intercepted at Saint Lucia’s ports. Over the past two years, the RSLPF has seized a growing number of illegal weapons at air and sea entry points. In a recent operation in Bois Patat, the Gangs, Narcotics and Firearms Unit recovered another suspected AR-15 rifle with its serial number tampered with, along with ammunition and high-capacity magazines.
These seizures underscore the vulnerability of Saint Lucia’s ports and the determination of criminal elements to arm themselves with military style weapons.
For a country with a population of just under 200,000, the influx of illegal firearms poses a grave national security concern. The availability of high-powered rifles and pistols significantly increases the potential for deadly violence. Already, Saint Lucia has seen a spike in gun-related homicides, shootings, and armed robberies, much of it driven by gang activity and drug trafficking.
Illegal firearms destabilize communities, embolden criminal networks, and place enormous strain on law enforcement. “The presence of an AR-15 in the hands of a gang member completely changes the dynamics of our policing,” said a senior officer . These are not weapons for hunting, they are weapons of war.
The consequences go beyond crime. Increased gun violence leads to public fear, disrupts economic activity, affects tourism, and burdens the criminal justice and health systems.
In response, the RSLPF has launched several targeted operations, including Operation Cargo Watch, which recently disrupted an attempt to smuggle cannabis into Saint Lucia through air cargo. Surveillance, intelligence-sharing, and collaboration with Customs and Excise, the Central Intelligence Unit (CIU), and international partners are central to ongoing interdiction efforts.
Authorities continue to urge citizens to play their part in reporting suspicious activity. Public vigilance has already proven effective, with anonymous tips leading to successful seizures and arrests.
The illegal importation of firearms into Saint Lucia is a clear and present danger. As traffickers exploit loopholes and weak points in border control, the RSLPF is calling for stronger port security measures, enhanced scanning technology, and legislative support.
The case of Chester Ernest is not merely a court matter, it is a reflection of the hidden wars being fought at the island’s borders. Saint Lucia must now confront the question: How many more firearms will make it through, and at what cost to our future?
The public is reminded to contact the Crime Hotline at 555 to report any information related to gun trafficking or suspicious imports. Every tip could help save a life and secure Saint Lucia’s peace.
