A major pre-Carnival security operation in Gros Islet has led to the arrest and charging of three men after police uncovered a firearm component and quantities of suspected cannabis during coordinated early morning raids.
The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force launched the multi-agency operation around 3:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 29, targeting locations in Gros Islet town and Degazon as part of heightened security measures ahead of the highly anticipated Gros Islet Carnival weekend.
Officers from the Northern Division Operations Team, Gros Islet Criminal Investigations Department, General Duties, the Gangs, Narcotics and Firearms Unit (GNFU), the Special Operations Team (SOT), and the Special Services Unit (SSU) took part in the coordinated exercise.
During a search of a residence on Notre Dame Street, officers recovered a firearm magazine and arrested 25-year-old Linus Clovis, also known as “Lucky.” He has since been charged with Possession of a Component Part of a Firearm. Appearing before the First District Court on Friday, Clovis was granted $20,000 bail subject to strict conditions, including surrendering all travel documents, remaining in Saint Lucia unless granted court permission to travel, and reporting weekly to the Gros Islet Divisional Headquarters.
A separate search at a residence on Dauphin Street resulted in the seizure of a quantity of suspected cannabis. Forty-one-year-old Ronald Charles was arrested and later charged with Possession of a Controlled Drug and Possession of a Controlled Drug with Intent to Supply. He was granted bail totaling $3,000 and must also comply with travel restrictions and weekly reporting requirements.
Meanwhile, officers conducting searches in Degazon allegedly discovered suspected cannabis plants and seedlings. Twenty-seven-year-old Joshua Thomas was arrested and charged with Possession of Controlled Drugs and Possession with Intent to Supply. He appeared before the First District Court on Thursday and was granted bail of $1,500 on each charge. His case is scheduled to return to court on October 7.
Police say the operation forms part of their ongoing proactive strategy to strengthen public safety and disrupt criminal activity ahead of one of the island’s largest annual celebrations, with additional security measures expected throughout the Carnival period.
