Three employees of the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA) have been formally charged in connection with a major drug-smuggling investigation following a joint operation by the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF), the Customs and Excise Department, and the Gangs, Narcotics and Firearms Unit (GNFU).
The intelligence-led operation, launched on the afternoon of Friday, October 17, 2025, at Port Castries, resulted in the interception of a grey van driven by Mr. Cyril Joseph, a Red Cap assigned to the port. Officers discovered a barrel inside the vehicle that had not been presented for customs inspection. A search of the barrel uncovered a substantial quantity of controlled drugs, including:
• 4,103 grams of Cannabis (plant material)
• 12,128 grams of Cannabis Resin (Hashish)
• 1,045 grams of MDMA Crystals
Authorities estimate the total street value of the drugs at approximately EC$705,686.50.
Following the initial seizure, investigators uncovered evidence suggesting a coordinated effort among several port employees to bypass customs clearance procedures. This led to the arrest of three additional SLASPA employees on Monday, October 20, 2025.
A subsequent search of the residence of one of the accused, Mr. Ian Moncherry, yielded an additional 105 grams of Cannabis Resin, valued at about EC$4,200.00.
Charges and Court Proceedings
On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, three individuals were formally charged as follows:
1. Mr. Ian Moncherry
• Three counts of Aiding and Abetting the Importation of a Controlled Drug
• Three counts of Fraudulent Evasion of Customs Duties and Controls under the Customs Act
• One count of Possession of a Controlled Drug (Cannabis Resin)
• Onecount of Possession of a Controlled Drug (Cannabis Resin) with Intent to Supply
2. Mr. Cyril Joseph
• Three counts of Importation of a Controlled Drug
• Three counts of Possession of a Controlled Drug
• Three counts of Possession of a Controlled Drug with Intent to Supply
• Three counts of Fraudulent Evasion of Customs Duties and Controls
3. Ms. Nadia Edward
• Three counts of Aiding and Abetting the Importation of a Controlled Drug
• Three counts of Fraudulent Evasion of Customs Duties and Controls
All three defendants appeared before the court on Friday, October 24, 2025, where they were remanded in custody until February 6, 2026.
A fourth suspect has been released pending further investigation, as law enforcement continues to probe the network believed to be involved in the illicit operation.
The RSLPF has stated that the investigation remains active as officers pursue additional leads into what appears to be an organized effort to traffic controlled substances through the island’s main port of entry.
The Saint Lucia Daily Post takes this opportunity to apologize to its readers for previously reporting that the seized drugs included crystal methamphetamine. Police have since clarified that the controlled substance recovered was MDMA crystals.
