LPM Leader Therold Prudent.

Leader of the Lucian Peoples Movement (LPM), Therold Prudent has said he is of the opinion that government is allegedly hiding certain information from the 2009-2011 extra-judicial killings report.

Prudent comment comes one day after Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony addressed the nation through public broadcasts on all television and radio stations locally, on the findings of that report.

The LPM leader said, “We don’t believe what Dr. Kenny Anthony has said to us is the whole truth. We do not believe that anything would become of the report now that it is sent to the  Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).”

Prudent told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) today that he believes that the government has reneged on its responsibility to the citizens of Saint Lucia, to do what is right “to declassify the report.”

The political leader said Saint Lucians should be allowed the opportunity to go through the report and get an understanding of what came out of the investigation into the alleged police shootings.

“Unless the government decides to be forthcoming with the people of Saint Lucia and allowing us the citizens of this country an opportunity to judge for ourselves, we have to accept that there is something dapper than what the government has told us,” he told SNO.

Prudent argued that the report should not be used to show the United States that an investigation has been completed. Rather, it should be viewed as Saint Lucia living up to its obligation to respect human rights.

Asked whether he feels justice has been served for the families of those who were allegedly killed by the police, Prudent said, “In typical Saint Lucian style (Dr. Kenny Anthony and Saint Lucia Labour Party style), nothing will become of that and the families will never get a chance to feel that justice was served.”

The reason for this, Prudent said, is because nothing comes out of most of the highly controversial cases that were sent to the DPP office in the past.

The main findings into the 2009-2011 extra-judicial killings, confirms that the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) worked from a “black list or death list” of persons deemed criminals and officers staged all shooting-death sites to legitimise their actions.

The report also states that those not only normal officers were involved in the operations, but members of the “high command of the police force” may have been involved in “covering up these matters”.

More alarmingly, the investigators report said that all the shootings reviewed were fake encounters staged by the police to legitimise their actions.

The alleged extra-judicial killings by police officers were carried during “Operation Restore Confidence” – an initiative then Prime Minister Stephenson King announced on May 30, 2010 in an address to the nation.

The police operation was in response to an unprecedented wave of homicides and violent crimes between 2008 and 2010, particularly in the northern half of the island.

Between 2010 and 2011, 12 persons were killed during encounters with officers of the RSLPF.

The families of those who were killed during the 2009-2011 alleged police shootings are organizing a protest against the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) and the Government of Saint Lucia.

The families said they plan to press the authorities to bring a speedy closure to the issue and will be seeking compensation.

Charyl Clarke whose brother, Arthur Guy “Afoo” Clarke, was gunned down in La Pansee on January 27, 2011, said she wants justice to be served in the matter.

She claimed that a police weapon which was used in another fatal police killing, was also used in her brother’s shooting.

Clarke told the local media that those police who are under suspicion following the investigation, should be suspended.

The woman expressed dissatisfaction with the Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony’s speech on the report.

The main findings into the 2009-2011 extra-judicial killings, confirms that the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) worked from a “black list or death list” of persons deemed criminals and officers staged all shooting-death sites to legitimise their actions.

The report also states that not only normal officers were involved in the operations, but members of the “high command of the police force” may have been involved in “covering up these matters”.

More alarmingly, the investigators report said that all the shootings reviewed were fake encounters staged by the police to legitimise their actions.

The alleged extra-judicial killings by police officers were carried during “Operation Restore Confidence” – an initiative then Prime Minister Stephenson King announced on May 30, 2010 in an address to the nation.

The police operation was in response to an unprecedented wave of homicides and violent crimes between 2008 and 2010, particularly in the northern half of the island.

Between 2010 and 2011, 12 persons were killed during encounters with officers of the RSLPF.

Blaise Bonolaw Cadette.

A 62-year-old man who is accused of brutally beating a Monchy woman has been formally charged, a police official has confirmed.

Blaise Bonolaw Cadette of Fond Assau, Babonneau was slapped with two charges yesterday, Mar. 9. One for wounding and another for causing harm.

Cadette was granted bail in the sum of $2,500. He was required to pay $1,500 for the wounding charge and $1,000 for the other charge.

The 62-year-old man is expected to make his first court appearance on April 6.

The Wasco employee turned himself into police on Friday, Mar. 6.

He is accused of severely beating Maria Joseph, 55, at her home in Monchy on Sunday, Mar. 1.

She sustained lacerations to her head and face when he allegedly punched in her in the eye and smashed a mug on her head.

Joseph’s daughter Mrs. Joseph (only name given) said initially her mother did not want to press charges, out of fear that her boyfriend will kill her or have her killed, while the matter is before the courts.

However, Mrs. Joseph told SNO that her mother has decided to press charges against the man accused of beating her.

St. Lucia News Online (SNO) understands that the case was handled by the Vulnerable Persons Unit.

President of SLPWA Camron Laure.

President of the Saint Lucia Police Welfare Association (SLPWA) Camron Laure has said that the IMPACS report on the alleged 2009-2011 extra-judicial killings should be made available to the police.

The SLPWA head said while he understands that Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony has given reasons why the report cannot be released at this time, he said the police officers who were investigated needs to know the full outcome.

“I think the police officers need to the opportunity to know exactly what the allegations are against them…they need to allow them the opportunity to defend what ever allegations are made against them,” Laure told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) today.

Laure said he hopes that this could be done soon. “There are many allegations that have to be proven. We need to look at all of the evidence, so we can understand how they came about with those recommendations,” he added.

Asked whether he thinks the report is authentic or the agency that carried out the investigation was credible, the SLPWA president said he cannot speak to that issue, as he is not aware how they went about their investigations.

Laure said the SLPWA will stand in support of the officers until the end.

The main findings into the killings, confirms that the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) worked from a “black list or death list” of persons deemed criminals and officers staged all shooting-death sites to legitimise their actions.

The report also states that not only normal officers were involved in the operations, but members of the “high command of the police force” may have been involved in “covering up these matters”.

More alarmingly, the investigators report said that all the shootings reviewed were fake encounters staged by the police to legitimise their actions.

The police operation was in response to an unprecedented wave of homicides and violent crimes between 2008 and 2010, particularly in the northern half of the island.

Between 2010 and 2011, 12 persons were killed during encounters with officers of the RSLPF.

Vernon Francois.

CMC – Police Commissioner Vernon Francois Monday said his “conscience is clear” as human rights lawyers reacted to a report of an investigation conducted by Jamaican police into alleged extra-judicial killings by members of the St. Lucia Police Force.

At least 12 people were killed by police during the period 2010-12 as they reacted to an unprecedented wave of homicides and violent crimes between 2008 and 2010.

Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony in a radio and television broadcast on Sunday night said that the investigators had found that a “blacklist or death list” existed and that the police had staged “fake encounters” to legitimize their actions.

He said the investigators had recommended that “all police officers involved in the unlawful killings of citizens in respect of the files reviewed must be prosecuted”.

But Francois denied suggestions that he had turned a blind eye to wrongdoing by his officers even as the report suggested “willful blindness” by the Commissioner and “particular members of his management team”.

Francois, who is now on vacation leave, told reporters that he jealously guards his integrity and is not involved in anything remotely corrupt or unlawful.

“I was hoping that we would have been at the stage where definitive statements would have been made about dealing with the situation as it relates to the government of St Lucia and the United States, but we are still at the stage where a lot of unproven allegations are being made,” the Police Commissioner said.

According to Francois, there was need to move beyond the stage where people are still “staying in the dark under the bushes” and making allegations.

“It is time to provide evidence,” he said, citing the need for the laws of natural justice to be set in motion.

Francois said that in his role as Police Commissioner, he is not engaged in supervising police investigations.

“If there is a police related shooting I do not get involved in the investigation and the files would be referred to the DPP,” he said, pointing out that at no time in the matter had there been any complaint to him suggesting that something had gone wrong and challenged anyone to come forward with information that he was told about irregularities and did nothing about it.

“My conscience is clear,” he added.

In 2013, the St Lucia government enlisted the help of the Jamaican police to investigate the RSLPF following a decision by the United States to withdraw security related assistance after claims of human rights violations.

In August 2013, Washington suspended all forms of assistance to the RSLPF, citing allegations of serious human rights violations.

“The Department of State has made a policy decision to withdraw training and material assistance to the Royal St Lucia Police Force due to credible allegations of gross human rights violations,” the US State Department said in a statement then.

As a result, Francois was prevented from travelling to the US to represent the Regional Security Service (RSS) at a conference of Black Police Chiefs.

In his address, Prime Minister Anthony said that the report, a copy of which has been sent to the United States, would not be made public.

He said that his administration would not be making any statement regarding the guilt or innocence of the police officers involved and “the question whether anyone is to be prosecuted is solely for the Director of Public Prosecutions to determine after evaluating and assessing the probative value of the evidence placed before her.

“Likewise, it is for the courts to pronounce on the innocence or guilt of any person who may be charged. The most that the Executive Arm of the Government can do is to provide the resources to the Director of Public Prosecutions to carry out the duties and the responsibilities assigned to her by our Constitution. A copy of the report has now been made available to her.”

But human rights attorneys Martinus Francois and Mary Francis said they were disappointed with the contents of the report and the decision not to release the document to the public.

“It said very little,” said Francois, the brother of the embattled police commissioner, accusing the government of double standards.

He said on the one hand the administration appeared to be concerned about human rights, while at the same time the report on the investigation into the alleged extra judicial killings had been “hidden away” from the public.

Francois said that the address by the prime minister was lacking in substance.

He also accused Prime Minister Anthony of passing the buck, in announcing that the report will be passed on to the Director of Public Prosecutions, Victoria Charles-Clarke for action.

Francois felt the DPP was already overburdened and asserted that a special Prosecutor should have been appointed.

He said the United States would not be impressed by the actions of the St. Lucia government.

“St Lucia will continue to be mired in that unsavory situation,” Francois told reporters.

Francis, who is representing the families of two men allegedly shot and killed by police during the infamous “Operation Restore Confidence” said she is disappointed that the government had decided against making the report of the investigations public.

“As it is right now, I am very disappointed. I am not happy with state of affairs,” Francis told the St. Lucia News Online (SNO) Monday as she responded to the alleged 2009-2011 extra-judicial killings report she added.

Francis said that she was not pleased with the tone of the report and the fact that it will be kept classified.

She promised a further response later, indicating “there are so many things that came out of the report…”

The human rights attorney, who is also representing the families of two of the men killed, said that the families need closure.

“The report should also tell us who bought these high-powered guns,” she said.

Meanwhile, the leader of the small opposition Lucian Peoples Movement (LPM), Therold Prudent, is accusing the government of hiding behind the report that probed the death of the 12 people.

“We don’t believe what Dr. Kenny Anthony has said to us is the whole truth. We do not believe that anything would become of the report now that it is sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)<’ he said, accusing the government of reneging on its responsibility to the population.

“Unless the government decides to be forthcoming with the people of St.Lucia and allowing us the citizens of this country an opportunity to judge for ourselves, we have to accept that there is something dapper than what the government has told us,” he said.

Opposition Leader Dr. Gale Rigobert.

PRESS RELEASE - The Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Gale Rigobert says, like the rest of Saint Lucia, she is unable to make an informed comment on the long-awaited IMPACS Report, because she has  not had the privilege of seeing the full IMPACS report.

However, according to Dr. Rigobert, given what Dr. Anthony chose to share with the nation on Sunday 8th March 2015, and his own analysis thereof, the Prime Minister has damaged the morale of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF).

Dr. Rigobert described the Prime Minister’s speech as “wholly irresponsible and lacking wisdom.”

He has compromised the national security of the state she said, and has threatened the chance of realizing the very justice that we would all like to see.

“The Prime Minister should have sent the report to the DPP without comment,” Dr. Rigobert said.

We cannot validate the contents of the report as revealed by the Prime Minister if we do not have the benefit of the full content of the report.

The Leader of the Opposition, therefore, is urging that a copy of the report be made available to her and members of Parliament for careful review without delay.

Marcellina Albert shows a school picture of her grandson, Terrel Joshua (TJ) Elibox. * Photo credit: Hamilton Spectator

The family of four-year-old Terrell Joshua Elibox, who drowned in Vieux Fort on Independence Day (Feb. 22) during an outing with family, has told a local newspaper that they have been receiving threats and insults, not just online, but in person.

The boy’s aunt, Callista Roserie, told The Voice newspaper that she avoids public appearances, if necessary, to avoid confrontation with people. She told the newspaper that family members are being bombarded with insults and threats from people, some of whom they don’t know.

Roserie claimed that the attacks have gotten worst since Terrel’s father went on the media and blamed the child’s mother and grandmother for the incident. The online media has also been blamed for the attacks.

She told The Voice that a few days ago someone confronted her sister in Vieux Fort town and threatened her. The police intervened.

Roserie said the family not only cared for Terrel, but he was much safer with them. Roserie claimed that the boy did not want to go back and live with his father in Marc.

Also speaking to The Voice, Marcellina Albert, the boy’s grandmother, claimed she is the subject of much ridicule and attacks.

“Some people say my grandson’s mother and I should take jail for the incident. Everywhere we go people have something bad to say about us,” she told the newspaper.

Terrel’s body was fished from the sea two days after he disappeared in the waters off Bois Chadon Beach.

Canadian national Sahab Jamshidi, 33, was arrested and charged with causing death by gross recklessness or negligence in connection with the incident.

He was released on $10,000 bail.

Jamshidi is accused of bringing Terrel into the water to kitefurf without the permission of the boy’s family. Jamshidi denies this claim, insisting that he saw the boy drowning and tried to help him.

The boy’s father has told St. Lucia News Online that Albert should be held responsible for his son’s death as his son was not being properly supervised.

SEE ORIGINAL ARTICLE: http://www.thevoiceslu.com/2015/03/back-off-dead-boys-family-tell-critics/ 

Stephenson King.

Former Prime Minister Stephenson King has denied claims of being directly involved in the execution of “Operation Restore Confidence.”

King told media operatives yesterday that “Operation Restore Confidence” was intended to provide intelligence, surveillance and to cooperate with the public to suppress crime.

“Operation Restore Confidence was a genuine effort based on the calls of the people, to bring order to this land. As you remember during that time, the people were saying we need to bring order,” he explained.

King denied that he gave direct orders to the police to shoot and kill people between 2009-2011, who were said to be on a blacklist. He said he only appealed to police to maintain law and order.

“How can I give instruction to shoot and kill? This is absurd. No prime minister does that. My conscience is clear on everything: on finance, administration of governance and the issue of the police,” King asserted.

In commenting on Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony speech on the IMPACS report on the alleged extra-judicial killings, King said it has done more harm and has sparked “unease.”

He dubbed the report, “disturbing, hopeless and questionable.” King said citizens have been left in the dark and could have some impact on the investment climate here, if not settled soon enough.

The former prime minister said he also finds it disturbing that the report supplants the findings of inquests into the deaths of suspects.

King has said that the contents of the report of the investigation into the killings should be made public, once national security would not be threatened.

The main findings into the 2009-2011 extra-judicial killings, confirms that the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) worked from a “black list or death list” of persons deemed criminals and officers staged all shooting-death sites to legitimise their actions.

The report also states that not only normal officers were involved in the operations, but members of the “high command of the police force” may have been involved in “covering up these matters”.

More alarmingly, the investigators report said that all the shootings reviewed were fake encounters staged by the police to legitimise their actions.

The alleged extra-judicial killings by police officers were carried during “Operation Restore Confidence” – an initiative then Prime Minister Stephenson King announced on May 30, 2010 in an address to the nation.

The police operation was in response to an unprecedented wave of homicides and violent crimes between 2008 and 2010, particularly in the northern half of the island.

Between 2010 and 2011, 12 persons were killed during encounters with officers of the RSLPF.

Victoria Charles-Clarke.

CMC – The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Victoria Charles Clarke, says she intends to follow the law and constitution of St Lucia as her office deals with a report of alleged extra judicial killings by police officers.

‘Any matter referred to me will be received and treated in accordance with our laws, I do not act on emotion or public opinion so I do not wish to join the discussion,” Charles-Clarke said on television.

On Sunday night, Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony in a nationwide radio and television broadcast said that Jamaican investigators probing alleged extra judicial killings by members of the Royal St Lucia Police Force (RSPF) had found that a “blacklist or death list” existed.

Anthony also said that the investigators had found that police had staged “fake encounters” to legitimize their actions and that “all police officers involved in the unlawful killings of citizens in respect of the files reviewed must be prosecuted.”

But Prime Minister Anthony said that his administration would not be making any statement regarding the guilt or innocence of the police officers involved and “whether anyone is to be prosecuted is solely for the Director of Public Prosecutions to determine after evaluating and assessing the probative value of the evidence placed before her.

“Likewise, it is for the courts to pronounce on the innocence or guilt of any person who may be charged. The most that the Executive Arm of the Government can do is to provide the resources to the Director of Public Prosecutions to carry out the duties and the responsibilities assigned to her by our Constitution. A copy of the report has now been made available to her.”

In 2013, the St Lucia government enlisted the help of the Jamaican police to investigate the RSLPF following a decision by the United States to withdraw security related assistance after claims of human rights violations.

In August 2013, Washington suspended all forms of assistance to the RSLPF, citing allegations of serious human rights violations.

A 32-year-old woman who was robbed recently in Blackstars, Morne Du Don said residents are fed up of being robbed at gunpoint of the “little we have”.

The woman, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said she was robbed last week Thursday around midnight.

“After getting off the bus, I walked down the Blackstars road. I didn’t see anyone around, then one guy came from the back of a vehicle …. When I turned around to run, the other was there also with a gun,” she said.

The robber told her “pass it, pass it”. The woman said she screamed but “to no avail”.

“They took my clutch purse and ran,” she added.

The hoodlums reportedly escaped through a “short cut” that leads to the Morne Du Don School.

She said the incident left her so traumatised that she had to take sick leave. Asked if she sustained injuries, she said: “No, they just roughed me up because I didn’t want to drop the clutch.”

The frightened woman said she hasn’t reported the matter to the police out of fear that the lawmen may leak her identity to the criminals.

“What sense does it make when they know the person who do it and these same persons work for them?” she alleged.

“They know the dude… so when I report him and his officer friends tell him who made the report then whose life is in danger? The person who robbed me, we know who is doing it. The dude says if anyone reports him he will burn their house.

“I prefer to be robbed of $50 than to be homeless,” said the frightened woman.

She said other persons have been robbed in the area but the victims are afraid to go to the police. They fear being targeted by gangsters in the area.

The woman is calling for more police patrols, at least.

“We residents are fed up of being held at gun point and robbed of the little that we have. We need police patrols in that area because our lives are in danger. Being robbed at gun point is very traumatising.

“Something needs to be done seriously because mostly every night someone is being robbed at gun point,” the woman claimed.

When contacted for a comment on the woman’s allegations, Police Press Officer Zachary Hippolyte declined to comment. Hippolyte said he will not comment on the claim of just one person.

Reports of crime – shootings, homicides, and shootings – are not uncommon in Morne Du Don.

In January, Castries police were called to the scene of firebomb attack on a house in Bois Patat, Morne Du Don.

Reports are that kerosene-bottle bombs, also known as Molotov cocktails, were thrown at the house of a mother of three children, in Bois Patat around 12:30 a.m. No one was hurt, but the walls of the house was scorched and some clothes were burnt during the attack.

A resident of the area had told SNO in the said story, that the police need to step up their patrols in the area, especially after midnight. The resident further stated that violence occurs almost every week in Bois Patat and adjoining communities, but the incidents are seldom reported by the media or the authorities.

A bus driver was recently the target of a robbery attempt in Morne Du Don.

A 27-year-old man has been shot by two armed men, the Public Relations Department of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) said.

In a press statement, the police said the incident occurred today, Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2015 about 2:00a.m.

The victim of the shooting, Joachim Henry of Ciceron, Castries sustained gunshot wounds to his left hand, left shoulder and the centre of his back.

“Joachim was approached by two armed men whilst at his sister’s home in Ciceron. After being threatened by the men he ran away, resulting in being chased and fired upon,” the police statement said.

He was transported to the Victoria Hospital where he is listed as being in stable condition.

Investigations are continuing into the matter.

PRESS RELEASE - A team of police officers from the Southern Detachment of the Special Services Unit conducted an eradication exercise in the Grace Fond Joyeux Re-Eradication in Vieux Fort area on Saturday, March 7 2015.

As a result of the exercise, a total of 8,940 fully grown Cannabis plants and 500 seedlings were uprooted and destroyed.

The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force has undertaken a number of successful operations to crackdown on the cultivation of Cannabis and according to the Commissioner of Police, there will be no abating of efforts on the part of law men to ensure that this momentum continues.

Meanwhile, in continued efforts to halt the cultivation of cannabis, the Anse La Raye Police on Wednesday, March 11, 2015, conducted an eradication exercise in the Aupos area between 7:30 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.

As a result of the exercise, 14,500 fully grown plants and 2,200 seedlings were destroyed

The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force has undertaken a number of successful operations to crackdown on the cultivation of Cannabis and according to the Commissioner of Police, there will be no abating of efforts on the part of law men to ensure that this momentum continues.

Lambirds Academy Gros Islet office.

A man who is facing human trafficking and money laundering charges in connection with the Lambirds Academy scandal has said that he and his colleagues are innocent.

Dr. Iftekhar Shams, the president and CEO of Lambirds Academy told the media today that his business is legitimate and that he was assisted by local authorities to establish a school here.

Shams said Lambirds Academy is a legally registered business, which operates two campuses. One of the campuses is located in Gros Islet and another in Rodney Heights.

He said his students were also granted legitimate visas to study here.

The school’s principal claims that the group of Asian students who claimed that they scammed, were not attending classes, because they were prevented from doing so, by local police.

Shams was on Tuesday, Mar. 3, 2015 arrested and charged for money laundering. He is accused of laundering EC$706,584.18 on Thursday, February 19, 2015 at the Bank of Nova Scotia.

Three other men were arrested with Shams and charged with human trafficking. These include: Koushal Kumar Batukbhai Chadasama, Ashwin Kanji Patel and Gurjeet Singh Vilkhu.

The group of foreigners – from Nepal and The Phillipines – claimed that they paid at least US$9,000 each to an agent from their region to secure a place at Lambirds Academy in Gros Islet, St. Lucia.

At the Academy, the prospective students were to be trained in hospitality management and promised employment in the United States of America after completing the one-year programme.

However, when the foreigners arrived in St. Lucia to register for classes, the Academy was closed.

The visitors claimed to have mortgaged land and borrowed money to get to St. Lucia and to finance the course. One student claimed that he spent over US$12,000 for his plane ticket and other expenses to get to St. Lucia.

Shams and his co-defendants pleaded not guilty when they appeared in court today. They are to make another appearance on Apr. 10, 2015.

Cherubin’s mugshot.

A St. Lucian national is among five Norwegian Cruise Line employees who were busted by Federal authorities on Sunday, March 8 after they were accused of smuggling seven kilogrammes of cocaine from Honduras in their spandex underwear.

The St. Lucian, 30-year-old Johnson Cherubin, was arrested along with Jason Leon Carmichael, 21, Arkine John, 21, Alfred Kernel Ince, 24, and Teffan Delice, 29.

Cherubin is reportedly from Ciceron, Castries.

The Tampa Tribune reported that the employees attracted the attention of customs officials as they were leaving the Norwegian Sun cruise ship, according to a federal affidavit.

The Tribune further further reported: “Investigators followed them to the Hooters restaurant in Channelside, where they observed the crew members “pacing anxiously” and talking on their cell phones until two women pulled up in a rental car.

“Carmichael, Delice and Cherubin got into the car, and authorities followed them to a Residence Inn on Boy Scout Boulevard, according to the affidavit. Everyone went inside, and then returned to the car about 20 minutes later.

Cherubin

“The two women — Semarie Paul and Simone Walters — dropped the crew members off at the Port, then returned to the hotel. They went back inside, investigators said, and then came back out with luggage.

“Walters and Paul left the hotel and were pulled over by a Pasco County Sheriff’s sergeant for a traffic infraction. The women appeared nervous, a K-9 deputy arrived at the scene, and the dog found four packages of cocaine in the car, according to the affidavit.

“Customs officials searched Carmichael, John, Ince and Delice as they made their way back to the ship, and found thousands of dollars and Western Union receipts for currency transfers, records show. The men admitted to officials that they had picked up the packages March 3 in Roatan, Honduras, and smuggled them aboard the ship in their Spandex underwear, the affidavit said.

“When they arrived in Tampa, they were instructed to go to the Channelside Hooters, where they were to meet up with a woman named “Princess.” When they went to the hotel, the men said, they took the drugs out of their underwear and gave them to the Paul and Walters, who paid them $2,000 per package.

“After a search, investigators found that Carmichael was in possession of more than $32,000. John was found in possession of about $3,400 and an additional $6,000 in his cabin on the ship. Ince, who said he only acted as a lookout and denied any involvement with the drug trafficking, was found to be in possession of about $1,700.

“Paul, Walters and the five crew members — who are listed as galley workers in jail records — remain in federal custody.”

Reduit Beach.

A Reduit Beach vendor who accused a restaurant owner of assaulting and spitting in her face during a confrontation has said she is willing to settle the matter out of court.

Marietta Benjamin told the media outside the Gros Islet Court House today that she is willing to settle the matter if the accused, Michael Richings, promises to show her some respect.

“We want out respect in Saint Lucia, we need to respect each other,” Benjamin told reporters.

Richings, the owner of Spinnakers Restaurant and Bar, located at Reduit Beach, is accused of verbally and physically abusing the vendor on Dec. 10, 2014.

The businessman, through his lawyer, had denied spitting on the vendor. He pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault, arising from the incident, when he appeared in court today.

Benjamin, had told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that she was selling a few Piton beers for which permission was not granted.

The businessman apparently found out about it and confronted her, which led to an argument. The woman claimed that the man was rude and disrespectful and she was rude in return.

Benjamin alleged that the said businessman went on to spit in her face during the argument and assaulting her. The woman claimed that the businessman reported her to the police.

She also claimed that he twisted the story to say that she spit in his face.

Benjamin said she has been selling on the Reduit Beach for the past 18 years.

Blaise Bonolaw Cadette.

The daughter of a 55-year-old woman who was savagely beaten by her 62-year-old boyfriend on Sunday, March 1, has told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that her mother still fears for her life.

Ms. Joseph (only name given) said her mother, Maria Joseph, said she is not too comfortable now that her attacker has been released from police custody.

Joseph’s daughter told SNO in a previous interview that her mother feared that her boyfriend will kill her or have her killed.

However, the family has taken steps to ensure that the 55-year-old woman is safe and does not come into contact with the man accused of beating her.

Ms. Joseph said that her mother has decided to break all ties with the man, who is accused of beating her and will go ahead with the court matter.

Asked about her condition, Ms. Joseph said her mother is recovering slowly from her injuries, but she is still not well. The family is also trying everything possible to help her recover from the abuse.

“She is just home and she said she doesn’t want any man in her life. It’s a really tough time for her. She didn’t do anything to deserve that,” the daughter told SNO.

The family said while they have been criticised for taking the story to the media, they think that it will serve as a message to “women beaters” and in a way try to bring an end to domestic violence in Saint Lucia.

“We can’t encourage the men to do nonsense. We must stand up as women and speak out. And look at it, everyone handling the case is a woman, from the sergeant, even to the first set of officers,” Ms. Joseph said.

The most important thing right now, she said, is to help her mother recover, so that she can move on with her life.

Blaise Bonolaw Cadette of Fond Assau, Babonneau was slapped with two charges on Mar. 9. One for wounding and another for causing harm.

Cadette was granted bail in the sum of $2,500. He was required to pay $1,500 for the wounding charge and $1,000 for the other charge. The man is expected to make his first court appearance on April 6.

The victim sustained lacerations to her head and face when Cadette allegedly punched in her in the eye and smashed a mug on her head.

PRESS RELEASE - On Wednesday, March 11, 2015 about 10:55 p.m. Officers of the Drug Squad conducted an operation in the Monchy area.

As a result of the operation, the officers intercepted a vehicle.

A search of the said vehicle revealed a suitcase containing 19 rectangular blocks of a substance suspected to be cocaine.

The occupants of the vehicle were two Spanish nationals.

They were arrested and are presently in police custody assisting with investigations.

The stranded foreigners. * Photo credit: T.M. from SLAPS FB page.

Ekantipur.Com - Nearly 60 Nepali students who are stranded in St Lucia after allegedly being trafficked there on the pretext of college enrollment are likely to remain in the Caribbean nation for at least a month, waiting for the court’s verdict.

The St Lucian authorities have detained four persons, three Indians and one Bangladeshi, on the charge of conning the students from Nepal and Philippines by assuring them admission at Lambirds Academy.

When the students reached St Lucia, they had found out that the authorities there had closed the college in Gros Islet on human trafficking and money laundering charges.

The defendants, including Dr Iftekhar Shams, the CEO of Lambirds, were produced before a local court on Wednesday.

A newspaper reported that the defendants pleaded not guilty before the judge.  The newspaper mentioned that during the court session, Dr Shams claimed that he had followed all rules and regulations to acquire the permission to operate the college. To support his statement, he also claimed that Lambirds operates two colleges in Gros Islet and Rodney Heights.

It was disclosed during the hearing that Dr Shams had transferred 700,000 US dollar from an account at local Scotia Bank, which the defendant claimed had been transferred to the US-based affiliate institute of Lambirds.

The court has set the next hearing on April 10.

One of Nepali students told the Post that it was too early to tell what the court verdict will be. Nevertheless, he said, they were hopeful about getting their money back.

“There is a likelihood of the court asking the accused to reimburse the money or operate the classes if they had really fulfilled all legal obligations to run the college. We are set to remain here until the next hearing,” he said.

Meanwhile, several students have reportedly run out of money to support themselves. Many of them are getting assistance from local residents. These students had paid up to Rs 2 million for admission at Lambirds which had promised guaranteed credit transfer to its US-based college after one year.

While 18 of the Nepali students managed to return home a few weeks ago, nearly 60 others are still languishing in St Lucia.

They had applied for admission at Lambirds through education consultancies in Kathmandu, Bharatpur and Biratnagar, namely Excellent Int’l Educational Institute, Kathmandu Multiconsult, Learn Care Educational Consultancy, Perception Consultancy, Progressive Learning Centre and Engineering Concern, Significant Education Consultancy, Toppers Academy Foundation, Euro Immigration,Visa Abroad Consultancy, and Black Grain Solution Pvt Ltd.

Pawal Kumar Shah of Excellent Int’l Education Institute said they have sought the government’s help in the case.

“Many things are still unclear, including the legality of the college.  If the operators of Lambirds Academy had indeed fulfilled all legal requirements to run the college, the court could lift the closure,” Shah said. “We will also ask the government to communicate with the St Lucian government in relation with the case. It will ensure the return of money.”

The Nepali authorities have not received any formal complaint about the case, nor the request to bring the stranded students back home.

Earlier this week, Nepal’s Chief Secretary Leela Mani Paudyal had told the Post that the education consultancies should also be held accountable in the case, for they were responsible for sending the students to St Lucia.

A man in his early 40′s allegedly stabbed one of two young men who he accused of trying to rob him.

The incident occurred on High Street, Castries around noon today.

Kenson Khodra, who is said to have a history of mental illness, allegedly attacked a young male. As a result, the youth sustained a stab wound to his hand.

Dr. Wilson of the La Clinic Du Corps on High Street said she intervened when she realised that Khrodra was involved in the confrontation, and with help of the police, they were able to subdue him.

“We restrained him and he was transported to the hospital for treatment,” she added.

Khodra will be treated for a wound he also sustained during the altercation, and his mental illness.

Dr. Wilson said Khodra is known to roam the streets of Castries, Gros Islet and Grand Riviere.

Acting Police Commissioner Errol Alexander.

Acting Police Commissioner Errol Alexander has said the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) was surprised by Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony’s revelation during his address to the nation on Sunday, Mar. 8, 2015 on the alleged 2009-2011 extra-judicial killings.

During a media conference hosted today under the theme: “Reassurance in the Face of Trying Times” Alexander said: “Having heard the prime minister’s address, we as members of the RSLPF stand resolute that it can with time cause us to become stronger and better.”

He said as custodians of the law, police officials “must act within the confines of the law, because our actions will always be subjected to review. For this reason officers will always be held accountable for their actions. They have and will always be encouraged to do so.”

Further, Alexander said as an organisation, “We must continue to perform our functions efficiently and professionally to ensure more improved service to our customers consistent with our policing principles.”

The RSLPF, he said, will continue to implement strategies to help mange crime more effectively and efficiently in spite of certain limitations. Alexander noted however that the safety and security of the country is everyone’s responsibility.

“It is only through togetherness, unit and understanding, that we can truly realise our vision of having a professional community policing service, providing crime reduction, improved road safety and a safer environment,” the senior police official added.

Alexander told the media that the RSLPF will continue to ensure that a professional community policing service is provided, thus improving performance of departments, stations and units, across the island.

“The RSLPF wishes to assure the public that we will continue to function and maintain zero tolerance to crime. Likewise, we will continue  to maintain good partnership with all communities and thrive to improve our continuous relationship.”

He commended senior officers for their leadership and thanked the general public for their support.