Compressed marijuana * Photo not actual marijuana referred to in story.

PRESS RELEASE - On Tuesday, April 14, 2015 about 6:00 p.m. officers attached to the Micoud Police Station conducted an operation on the Micoud Beach.

As a result, a search was conducted onboard a fishing vessel named “Zooty”, resulting in the discovery of fifty pounds of compressed green plant material suspected to be Cannabis.

Three individuals are presently in custody assisting police with investigations.

PRESS RELEASE - On Tuesday, March 31, 2015 the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police bestowed three prestigious awards on outstanding police officers of the Royal Saint Lucia Police force, through its Regional Awards Programme.

Inspector Eddie Monlouis won the first prize for Top Caribbean Crime Fighter, Assistant Superintendent of Police Mashama Sealy was awarded the first runner up for Top Caribbean Career Move and Constable Silvina James captured the first runner up prize for Top Caribbean Community Policing Officer.

The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force through the executive congratulates these officers for their accomplishment and the opportunity to encourage the general membership to continue to perform at the highest of standards.

A group of the foreign students.

An agent for Lambirds Academy which is behind a major scam in St Lucia has expressed his disappointment with the way the matter is being handled by the Saint Lucian government.

Managing Director of Excellent Int’l Educational Institute of Nepal, Pavel Kumar Shah, has said that his agency is “totally confused about what the government wants.”

Shah said that while some of the victims are being housed at several places, some of them are even starving.

“Some are eating and some are starving. Sometimes food is provided and other times not…government says they will support the students and other times they ask the students to leave,” he explained.

Shah argued the students should be provided with jobs to earn an income, so as to take care of their needs. He said this is important because they stayed should not be returned until the case is finalized.

“As all knows, this is the case should be decide quickly. The government must play the role of parents of students, but I think they are treating our students as step relation,” he said.

But that isn’t all; Shah accused the government of ignoring the students whenever they raise concerns.

“We appeal to all of the related and non-related organizations and the local people to help raise the concerns of our students, so that a quick decision is made,” he further stated.

The agent said he and his colleagues in Nepal have written the International Court of Justice and is now awaiting a response, to determine whether they can pursue legal action against Saint Lucia.

A group of the foreign students told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) recently that groceries provided by the government last only week – equivalent to one meal per day.

The foreigners said Saint Lucians have been donating to the centre, which affords them at least three meals per day. Alternatively, the group has to purchase food with their own money, which is running low.

Four men arrested and charged in connection with the Lambirds Academy scandal were denied bail when they appeared in a Castries Magistrate’s Court on Friday, April 10.

This is the second time Iftekhar Ahmed Shams, Koushal Kumar Batukbhai Chadasama, Ashwin Kanji Patel and Gurjeet Singh Vilkhu were being denied bail.

The men are now represented by Marcus Foster. Leslie Mondesir was their previous attorney. The next court hearing is April 24.

All four are charged with human trafficking in connection with an alleged internet scam at Lambirds Academy that left a group of some 70 foreigners – mainly from Nepal and The Phillipines – stranded in St. Lucia.

Taz.

PRESS RELEASE - On Thursday, April 16, 2015 a post mortem examination was conducted on the body of Aaron Greenidge also known as “Taz” of Labayee, Bexon.

The examination revealed that Greenidge died as a result of asphyxia secondary to hanging.

No foul play has been suspected in this incident.

Greenidge was discovered by his girlfriend suspended from the neck in the verandah of his residence at Labayee, Bexon on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 about 10:15p.m.

Three Saint Lucian men are facing drug charges in neighbouring St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force has said.

Omari Lurcher, 37, a labourer of St. Lucia, was charged with the possession of 6,356 grammes of cannabis, with intent to supply it to another, at Troumacca, SVG on Wednesday, April 15.

Jimy Prince, 33, a building contractor and Kimbert Eidol, 24, a fisherman, both of St. Lucia, were also charged with possession of 10,896 grammes of cannabis, with intent to supply it to another, at Fancy, SVG.

These men were also jointly charged with two Vicentians, Gregory O’Garro, 37, a mechanic of Troumacca, SVG who had in his possession of 1,581 and 2,270 grammes of cannabis and Garvy Solomon, 29, of Walverou, SVG was also charged with 144 grammes of cannabis, with intent to supply it to another, at Walverou, SVG.

Solomon was also charged with the possession .32 firearm, without a licence and four rounds of .32 ammunitions without a licence, at Walverou.

Only last year, a Saint Lucian man was busted by SVG cops with 192,496 grammes of cannabis, two semi-automatic pistols and a double barrel 12 guage shotgun in his possession.

He was charged and sent to prison.

Police have responded to a reported attempted robbery at HK Grocery Store in La Bayee, Castries.

Reports are the robbery was carried out by armed gunmen and one person may have been shot.

The incident occurred about 8:45.p.m. Thursday (April 16), police officials have confirmed.

Investigations are ongoing.

We will provide you with more details as soon as it becomes available.

PRESS RELEASE - “Weekend Crime Tips” is a production of the Press Office of the Royal St Lucia Police Force. In this week’s segment we highlight the use of Force.

According to the Criminal Code of St Lucia 2008

Section 34 captioned REASONABLE USE OF FORCE IN SELF-DEFENCE states;

“A person may use such force as is reasonable in the circumstances—

(a)          to prevent crime;

(b)          to protect himself or herself or another person from injury;

(c)           to protect himself or herself or another person (with his or her authority) from trespass to himself or herself or the other person;

(d)          to protect from injury or damage his or her property or property belonging to another person with that person’s authority”.

Section 37 captioned FORCE TO REMOVE TRESPASSER states;

“A person in actual possession of a house, land or vessel, or any other person authorized by him or her, may use such force reasonable in the circumstances as is necessary for removing a person who has unlawfully entered such house, land, or vessel, and who having been lawfully requested to depart, refuses to depart”

Section 38 captioned FORCE FOR RECOVERY OF POSSESSION OF GOODS states;

“If a person wrongfully takes possession of or detains any goods, any other person who as against him or her, has a right to the possession of the goods, may upon his or her refusal to deliver up the goods on demand, use such force reasonable in the circumstances, either by himself or herself or by any other person, as is necessary for the purpose of recovering possession of the goods”.

These sections of law gives you the  right to use force however, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force is asking persons to use caution in all forms of confrontation as your use of force must be reasonable in the circumstances and never forget in all circumstances to call the police.

This has been your weekend crime tips. Do have and enjoyable and safe weekend.

PRESS RELEASE - On Thursday, April 16, 2015 about 8:15 p.m. officers attached to the Criminal Investigations Department, responded to a report of a shooting in La Bayee, Bexon.

Sixty two year old, Calixte Edward also known as “Moy” of Bexon, Castries was shot by masked men during an apparent attempted robbery of 30 year old, Randy Biscette also of Labayee.

Edward sustained a gunshot wound to the right side of his abdomen.

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

Investigations are continuing into the matter.

The stolen vehicle.

A 2007 Daihatsu Terrios vehicle, registration PE7706, was stolen from the Windjammer Landing Car Park sometime between 8.a.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 17, 2015.

The owner, Selma Ballantyne-Charles, said her husband  used the vehicle for work on Thursday and parked it at the Windjammer Car Park Labrelotte Bay, Castries.

When he was finished working at around 6 p.m. and went for the vehicle, he realised it was stolen.

Ballantyne-Charles said the vehicle has no alarm system.

If anyone has information about the whereabouts, please contact the owner at 7191964 or 7219087.

Police are investigating the death of a 27-year-old man whose body was discovered in Black Bay early this morning.

The victim has been identified Julius Bourgeois of Blackbay, Augier. His body was discovered at about 7:45.a.m.

It is believed that Bourgeois drowned after suffering an epileptic seizure while crossing a river.

Vieux Fort Police have said Bourgeois had a history of epilepsy and foam was seen coming from his mouth, when his body was discovered.

Bourgeois was pronounced dead at the scene by a medical doctor.

Foul play is not suspected in his death.

A post mortem examination is expected shortly.

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

Nine nationals from Nepal who have been left stranded as a result of the Lambirds Academy scandal have been reported missing.

Seven of the alleged students were students were reportedly staying at Happy Days Guest House in Gros Islet and two at Coral Reef Guest House near the Marina in Rodney Bay, Gros-Islet.

Reports are that suspicion was raised when the foreigners did not show up for the Friday night street party in Gros Islet town.

Richard Dessimo.

A hearing is set for January 20, 2016 for the police officer accused of allegedly verbally and physically abusing an American tourist on the Marigot Beach on December 15, 2014.

St. Lucia News Online (SNO) understands that a hearing was initially set for April 2, 2015, two days after the tourist, Richard Dessimo, was leaving Saint Lucia, due to ill health.

The Police Complaints Department asked Dessimo if he was still wanted to pursue the matter and he replied in the affirmative. The US citizen will therefore be returning in January for the hearing.

Dissimo has accused the male police officer of damaging his phone, while he was filming the sunset. According to him, the officer believed that he was videoing him instead and grabbed his phone and, physically and verbally abused him.

Even when he explained to the officer that he wasn’t filming him, the tourist was allegedly chased off the beach.

Dessimo said he felt insulted and believes that the police did not conduct himself professionally.

The 65-year-old man said he loves St. Lucia for its beautiful beaches. He first came to the island a few years back and returned months later, where he spent a few more weeks. He came back in December 2014 to spend five months.

The matter was also reported to St. Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA).

A 52-year-old man was attacked and robbed by bandits in Sans Souci, Castries on Friday, April 17.

Reports are that Cyprian Nelson of Pavee, Castries was stabbed in the back with a knife during the robbery.

The incident occurred at about 4:35.p.m. Friday.

It is believed that Nelson was heading to the bank to make a cash deposit, when he was attacked and robbed.

St. Lucia News Online (SNO) understands that the bandits grabbed a black bag from the victim, which contained $156 in cash and a cheque worth $70, belonging to the company for which Nelson works.

Also inside the bag was $400 cash belonging to Nelson, two phones (one white Samsung and one black Alcatel cell phone) personal documents, his National identification card and his passport.

The police have launched an investigation into this latest robbery.

Police are still searching for nine Nepalese students who went missing since Friday, April 17.

Acting Police Press Officer Zachary Hippolyte told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) police may have some intelligence as where the students might be staying.

However, this information was not provided to the press office and would most likely not be released to the public.

Hippolyte said whether the students are found or return on their own free will, they will not be penalized.

The police press official said the students can however be charged if they commit any crime during the time they went missing.

Asked about whether the police are aware if rumours of the missing students being housed by a local media house, Hippolyte said he heard about it, but cannot confirm if that is true.

Seven of the alleged students were students were reportedly staying at Happy Days Guest House in Gros Islet and two at Coral Reef Guest House near the Marina in Rodney Bay, Gros-Islet.

Reports are that suspicion was raised when the foreigners did not show up for the Friday night street party in Gros Islet town.

There are about 60 students who are involved in the Lambirds Academy scam, many of which remains in Saint Lucia. The students are foreign nationals of: Nepal, The Philippines and India.

A small batch of the students has been returned to their home country, with the assistance of the United Nations International Organization of Migration.

Four men, including the chief executive officer of Lambirds, have been arrested and charged with human trafficking in connection with the alleged internet scam at Lambirds Academy that left a group of foreigners stranded in St. Lucia. The CEO was also charged with money laundering.

PRESS RELEASE - On Saturday, April 18, 2015 a report of Missing Person was made on behalf of seven Napalese nationals at the Gros-Islet Police Station.

The Napalese nationals were last seen on Friday, April 17, 2015 about 10:00 p.m.

Reports indicate that they were headed for the Gros-Islet Street Party.

Five of the nationals were housed at Marguerite’s Apartments in Massade, Gros-Islet and two were housed at Lawrence Place on Marina Street, Gros-Islet.

The names of the Napalese nationals are: twenty two year old Dipak Sapkota, twenty two year old Chandra Bahadur Thapa, eighteen year old Ankit Dhakal, twenty three year old Pradip Adhikari, twenty year old Dipak Bhujel, thirty two year old Sharma Kafle-Arjun and twenty year old Numkala Tiwari.

Anyone with information which could assist with the investigations are asked to contact Gros-Islet Police Station at telephone numbers 456 3830 or 456 3990.

PRESS RELEASE - On Friday, April 17, 2015, 19 year old Carlton Cyril also known as “Popcorn” was charged for the offence of Possession of Firearm and Possession of two rounds of Ammunition.

Cyril is one of five young men who were arrested in relation to the recent shooting incident in Labayee, Bexon.

Investigations are continuing into the matter.

PRESS RELEASE - On Monday, April 20, 2015, police conducted an operation in the Graveyard area in Castries.

As a result of the operation, police discovered 26 rounds of 5.56 ammunition and 3 .45 rounds of ammunition.

No one was arrested as a result of the said operation.

Police have arrested one person in connection with an attempted robbery that occurred near Caribbean Cinemas on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

In a statement issued today, the Police Press Office said the arrest was made on Monday (April 20) 2015 at about 11:45 a.m.

Glen Charlery, a police officer, sustained stab wounds during the attempted robbery. The bandits also took the officers service firearm.

The individual is presently in police custody assisting with investigations.

This is second time in recent times that a police officer has lost a service firearm during an incident.

One of the victims of the Lambirds Academy scam has said the seven persons who went missing since Friday (April 17) might have plans to leave the island.

The foreigner, who requested anonymity, told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) today that his colleagues could possibly be trying to illegally enter Martinique or Saint Vincent.

He said while he did not stay at the same place as the seven alleged escapees, he has been in contact with friends closest to them, who share the same opinion.

The foreigner told SNO that he is not sure what might have led them to escape, but based on the number of days that they have been reported missing, it is clear now that they don’t plan to return.

Asked whether he thinks his colleagues left prepared, he replied to say that their families may have sent money for them, to help in their escape. They also left with all of their belongings.

The alleged escapees were reportedly staying at Happy Days Guest House in Gros Islet and Coral Reef Guest House near the Marina in Rodney Bay, Gros-Islet.

Reports are that suspicion was raised when the foreigners did not show up for the Friday night street party in Gros Islet town.

There are about 60 students who are involved in the Lambirds Academy scam, many of which remains in Saint Lucia. The students are foreign nationals of: Nepal, The Philippines and India.

A small batch of the students have been returned to their home country, with the assistance of the United Nations International Organization of Migration.

Trouya Beach.

A body was discovered on Trouya Beach earlier today, police officials have confirmed.

The discovery was made at about 1:30.p.m.

Acting Police Press Officer Zachary Hippolyte said reports indicate that the Gros-Islet police are investigating an alleged homicide.

“Details are sketchy at this moment and a press release will be given as soon as more information is available,” he added.

Reports are that the body is that of an 18-year-old man who was reported missing since Monday. The man’s throat was allegedly slashed.

A foreign national was found with property belonging to the deceased.