Police are investigating a wounding incident that occurred in Bexon, Castries on Saturday.

The male victim was reportedly admitted at Victoria Hospital. His condition is unknown at this time.

A resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that the victim was allegedly chopped after he accused another male of stealing a television.

“The one that chopped him stole the boy ‘s family TV and he (the victim) asked him about the TV and he chopped him in the head and arm,” the resident.

Police officials have confirmed the incident but could not provide further information at this time, nor were they immediately able to verify the information provided by the resident to SNO.

It’s my privilege to bring you today’s ‘Know Your Laws”. “Know you laws” is a production of the Press Office of the Royal St Lucia Police Force.

Did you know? According to Section;

Burning land

449.— (1) For purposes of preventing loss, damage, and injury to property, any person who intends to set fire, or to cause fire to be set, to any tree, bush, brushwood, rubbish, guinea or other grass, trash, or canepiece ,shall first apply to the nearest Justice of the Peace for permission, and shall prove, to the satisfaction of such justice, that he or she has given notice to all the neighbors possessing or in charge of property which might be damaged or destroyed by such fire, if carelessly or improperly used.

(2) The Justice of the Peace upon proof of such notice and upon proof that proper precautions have been taken to prevent any damage or destruction to the property of such neighbors shall grant permission in writing to the applicant to burn such tree, bush, brushwood, rubbish, guinea or other grass, trash or cane-piece.

(3) A permission granted under subsection (2) is valid for seven days only from the date it is granted.

Burning land within 2 miles of town or settlement without notice or permission

450. A person who—

(a) without notice given and permission first obtained under section 449, at any time sets fire or causes fire to be set to any tree, bush, brushwood, rubbish, guinea, or other grass, trash or canepiece, for the purpose of clearing it or for any other purpose whereby any damage or injury is caused to the property of another person;

(b) at any time, within two miles of any city or town or village or settlement, sets fire or causes fire to be set without having given notice and first obtained permission under section 449, and whether or not the fire causes damage or injury to the property of another person; is liable on summary conviction to a fine of one thousand dollars.

This has been “Know Your Laws”. We at the Royal Saint Lucia Police force encourage the citizenry to read and study the laws which governs our society. Never forget that knowledge is power.

The bloody room where a man ran for refuge after he was chopped repeatedly.

Police have detained one person in connection with a grisly chopping incident in a house in Bexon, Castries on Saturday, April 25.

Ryan ‘Fret’ Frederick, 38, of Bexon was chopped all over his body with a cutlass at about 11:45 a.m. during an altercation with another male, the Press Office of the Royal St. Lucia Police Force has confirmed.

Frederick sustained wounds to his head, fingers, back and hands. He sustained a fractured skull and was admitted at Victoria Hospital. He is scheduled to undergo surgery.

A Bexon resident told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that the fight was between “two close friends”.

Frederick was allegedly chopped by the man he accused of stealing a television (TV).

“The one that chopped him stole the [victim’s] family TV and he (the victim) asked him about the TV and he chopped him in the head and arm,” the resident.

Another resident, who claimed to be on the location before and during the chopping, gave SNO a full account of what occurred that Saturday morning.

“The attacker [allegedly] stole a TV from a relative of Frederick (the victim). Frederick’s relative told him to finish with that because the man accused of stealing the television said he would bring back the TV, but Frederick didn’t listen.

“He went ahead and run behind the guy. So the guy who chopped him came up the road at a house. He was sitting on the balcony and Frederick passed and saw him. Frederick turned around and came back behind the guy.

“When I came back outside…. I heard the guy accused of stealing the TV saying ‘cool out, cool out’ but I was told that Frederick had already knocked the guy and fly his hat. He said cool out a couple times then I just saw him (the one accuse of stealing) pull out his cutlass and started giving Frederick pah cutla in his head, then I saw blood start splashing all over. Frederick ran inside to escape but he couldn’t.”

The eyewitness said the wounds inflicted on Frederick were serious.

“I was actually seeing his skull, like a big piece of skin just drop and you seeing inside,” the eyewitness said.

Residents claimed that Frederick pushed the accused to his limits.

“And he (Frederick) is infirm (unwell). How can you push speed and you infirm in one hand? They don’t think before they react,” one resident said.

A police source said one individual is in custody assisting with the investigation. He faces a charge of grievous harm.

* Dramatization

Residents in Soufriere are concerned that gunmen are ‘back in business’ in the rural high-end tourist community after several incidents over the weekend.

Reports are that at about 11:15 p.m. on Sunday, April 26, two masked men armed with shotguns entered a popular bar in Soufriere town. The men reportedly looked around and left.

About 10 minutes after their exit, a distressed woman reported that she was robbed of her Samsung Galaxy S4 cell phone by two armed men.

Police sources told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that the same gunmen were seen in different parts of Soufriere over the weekend, but efforts to capture them have been futile.

“We tried our best to apprehend those bandits but to no avail. Officers patrolled both mobile and on foot but nothing,” a police source said.

Residents fear that a new gang war will erupt based on the most recent criminal activities.

On April 18, 2015, a machete-wielding man entered a popular bar in Soufriere and hurled threats then left. In addition, a gang war in March resulted in a tourist receiving injuries during a stone-throwing incident. Several shootings were also reported.

The violence was quelled following the arrest of several suspected gang members and the recovery of a number of firearms and ammunition.

A Ghanaian national who was arrested by Grenadian police on human trafficking and money laundering charges has been remanded to prison, after making a court appearance on Monday, April 27.

Awal Abdul Shariff appeared before the St. George’s Magistrate’s Court (Grenada) in connection with the illegal entry of seven Nepalese nationals and was remanded to the Richmond Hill Prison.

Shariff is due to make another Court appearance on Tuesday, May 5, 2015.

Grenadian police had detained the Nepalese students reported missing in St Lucia on Wednesday, April 22.

The students are now in custody “after arriving in Grenada via boat on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 from St Lucia,” the Grenada Police Force said in a brief statement.

It said the six males and one female “are believed to be victims of human trafficking” and that a “Ghanaian national who is reportedly a resident of Trinidad is also in police custody assisting with police investigation”.

The students are among a group of Asians who have been left virtually stranded here as a result of what has become known as the “Lambirds Academy affair”.‎

Marvin Augustin.

Police are following several leads in the hunt for the person (s) responsible for the gruesome murder of an 18-year-old Gros Islet youth, whose body was found on Trouya Beach with several stab wounds on Tuesday (April 21).

The Public Relations Department of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) today that an investigation into this recent homicide is being aggressively pursued.

The department said no arrest has been made so far. Police said they are looking for a Jamaican man who has been identified as a possible suspect.

A police official told SNO that there are certain procedures that must be followed before a suspect’s identity is made public, explaining the reason why the man’s picture has not been released.

Marvin Anthony Augustin, 18 of Grand Riviere, Gros-Islet sustained 56 stabs wounds. A post mortem concluded that Augustin died from hemorrhagic shock secondary to a stab wound.

Augustin was found on Tuesday (April 21). His lifeless body was discovered at around 1:30 p.m, hours after he was reported missing. He was last seen on Monday, April 20 at about 6 p.m

A source close to Augustin, who preferred to remain anonymous, told (SNO) the incident might have been a set up.

The source claimed Augustin went to meet another male on the beach, the same day he went missing. He allegedly met the person online via Facebook.

Apparently Augustin sent a photo of the person he was going to meet on the beach to his best friend.

Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy.

Governor General of Saint Lucia Dame Pearlette Louisy has said every effort should be made to reduce the island’s high homicide rate.

The governor general was at the time addressing the 5th session of the 10th Parliament of Saint Lucia.

In her traditional throne speech, she said crime is a scourge that affects the entire region and by extension Saint Lucia.

Saint Lucia, she said, has seen a general trend of reduction in the level of crime, particularly homicides, since it peaked in 2011.

“However, any successes should not be an excuse to be comfortable, because even while statistics suggests a downward trend, our homicide rate is still too high,” she added.

The governor general believes there are still too much “senseless deaths in our midst.”

“Our streets must not be places of duck and cover, but thoroughfares of good and meaningful transactions. We must be indefatigable in our efforts for Saint Lucia to become a place of peace,” she asserted.

While admitting that the challenge is a complex one, the governor general said it requires reform to the justice system and police force, to ensure an environment in which law and order is respected.

Turning her attention to the justice system, the governor general said in the justice sector, the provision of evidence in the prosecution of cases is a major challenge.

“Therefore to assist persons and the courts in securing and protecting persons giving evidence, a Witness Protection Bill is being drafted and will be introduced in this parliamentary session,” she added.

She also noted that two additional High Court judges and a new master have been added to the criminal division, while staff at the Crown Prosecution Office has been increased.

Lambirds Academy occupied the top floor of this building in Gros Islet. * Photo credit: The Voice Newspaper (St. Lucia).

PRESS RELEASE - The Ministry of Commerce, Business Development, Investment and Consumer Affairs has overall responsibility, amongst other things, for private sector development and investment in St. Lucia.

The responsibility to attract, facilitate and monitor investments (both foreign and local) rest with Invest St. Lucia who reports to the Minister for Commerce, Business, Investment and Consumer Affairs.

One of the processes used to regulate trade in the Private Sector is the issuance of a trade licence.  This is administered by the Ministry through a Trade Licence Board.  The legal authority is derived from The Trade Licence Act Chapter 13.04 of the Revised Laws of Saint Lucia.

Section 4 of the said Act makes provision for an Advisory Board who makes recommendations on Trade Licence Applications to the Minister.

The Chairman of the Trade Licence Board is the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Business Development, Investment and Consumer Affairs; while the secretary to the Board is also a staff member of the Ministry.  The Board also has representation from various private and public sector agencies including the Police.

Pursuant to Section 6 of the Trade Licence Act, Cap.13.04, a Trade Licence shall be issued by the Secretary to the Advisory Board, with the approval of the Minister.

In addition, pursuant to Section 7 (1) (b) of the Invest Saint Lucia Act No.14 of 2014, the Minister responsible for Invest St. Lucia, is conferred the same powers, as that of the Minister of Trade under the Trade Licence Act. Consequently, Invest Saint Lucia (ISL) may make recommendations to the Minister for Investment on a Trade Licence Application without going through Trade Licence Advisory Board, that is, in cases of foreign investment.

The Trade Licence is an annual licence which expires on 31 December every year.

A Trade Licence is required by foreign companies or foreign individuals in order to conduct business in St. Lucia.

A foreign company is one in which more than 50% of its shares are owned by non-CARICOM nationals.

A foreign individual is someone who is not a CARICOM national.

Section 3 (1) (a) of the revised Trade Licence Act states:

Subject to the provisions of this Act, a person shall not, without having first obtained a trade licence—

(a) sell any wares, merchandise, wines, spirits, tobacco or goods of any sort in any building or place; or

(b) engage in trade.

(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply—

(a) to a citizen of Saint Lucia; and

(b) to a company in Saint Lucia, that is not an alien company within the meaning of the Aliens Licensing Act; and

(c) to a national of a member State.

In St. Lucia, like any other developing country, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is critical for economic growth and investment. This means that St. Lucia is competing with the world in trying to attract investors and investments.

One means of attracting investors/investments is for the country to have an efficient and enabling environment for doing business.

The World Bank’s 10 business related regulations which measure how easy it is to do business in a country, requires that the processes, procedures, time, cost and documents required for a given business transaction must be transparent and non-discriminatory. Predictability, transparency, and fairness are among the key principles which underpin and characterize the local business/investment environment. This is what we have sought to establish and build in Saint Lucia.

Consequently, the Trade Licence Process is a transparent one, which is prominently displayed on the websites of Invest Saint Lucia and the Ministry of Commerce. Moreover, the Ministry periodically issues public announcements on Trade Licence matters. The Ministry has carefully addressed through its published ‘Frequently Asked Question’ format: What is a Trade Licence; Why a Trade Licence is required and the process for obtaining a Trade Licence.

Lambirds Academy Case

Having set the legislative authority, structure and conditions for the issuance of a Trade Licence, I will now outline, seriatim, the facts surrounding the issuance and renewal of a Trade Licence to Lambirds Academy to conduct trade in Saint Lucia.

I want to make it clear that this statement is intended only to bring clarity and not to prejudice or compromise the ongoing police investigations and Court cases.

On May 4 – 6, 2014, Invest St. Lucia held a first Investment Forum in St. Lucia. Dr. Shams of Lambird’s Academy attended the Investment Forum in response to an open invitation which was posted on the internet to any potential investor interested in doing business in Saint Lucia. To the best of my knowledge, this was the first interface between Dr. Shams of Lambirds Academy and Invest St. Lucia.

On June 2, 2014 an application for a Trade Licence was lodged at the Ministry of Commerce on behalf of Lambird’s Academy Inc. The Application number is 62/14.

On June 2, 2014 as Minister for Investment, I also received a copy of that same application with a cover letter from Invest Saint Lucia, recommending that I approve the Trade Licence pursuant to Section 7 (1), (b) of the Invest Saint Lucia Act, No. 14 of 2014. The investor was apparently in urgent need to transact business and the Trade Licence was needed in order for this to occur.

On June 3, 2014, I instructed the Chairman of the Trade Licence Advisory Board to call an urgent meeting of the Board to review the application. The urgent meeting was necessary to enable the investor to proceed with facilitating the other requirements for setting up a business in Saint Lucia, such as setting up of a bank account and commencement of processing for approval by the Ministry of Education. The meeting was not convened.

On June 6th, pursuant to Section 7 (1), (b) of the Invest Saint Lucia Act, No. 14 of 2014 I reviewed the Trade Licence application with its relevant supporting information, and approved the application for Lambird’s Academy Inc.

Subsequently, prior to instructing the Secretary of the Trade Licence Advisory Board to issue the Trade Licence, the Chairman of the Board and I had further discussions on the application. A decision was taken to have the application undergo a further review by the Trade Licence Advisory Board at its next meeting scheduled for June 10th, 2014.

On June 10, 2014, at a duly convened meeting of the Trade Licence Advisory Board, the application was considered. The Board requested further information on the area of “consultancy services”, as well as verification of accreditation by the Ministry of Education. In addition, the Board requested all the relevant supporting information regarding the due diligence on the company.

On June 12, 2104, Invest Saint Lucia submitted correspondence addressed to the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Leo Titus Preville indicating that the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education supported, in principle, the establishment of Lambirds Academy Inc., and that Invest Saint Lucia is working with the Ministry of Education to ensure that Lambirds Academy Inc. meets the requirements outlined in the Education Act, No. 41 of 1999.

On June 12, The Permanent Secretary, in his capacity as the Chairman of the Trade Licence Advisory Board recommended the approval of the Trade Licence application to the Minister.

On June 12, in my capacity as Minister for Trade, I approved the application for the Trade Licence for Lambirds Academy based on the recommendation of the Trade Licence Advisory Board. The area of business consultancy was not approved.

On June 16, 2014 Lambirds Academy was granted a Trade Licence, No. 48/14 to trade only in Education and Training. The Trade Licence was issued and duly signed by Nancy Francis-Charles, Secretary of the Trade Licence Board pursuant to Section 6 of The Trade Licence Act, Chapter. 13.04 of the Revised Laws of Saint Lucia.

On December 19, 2014, Lambirds Academy applied for a renewal of its Trade Licence.

On January 13, 2015, the Trade Licence Advisory Board recommended the application for approval.

On 23 January 2015, a Trade Licence #3 of 2015 was issued to Lambirds Academy.

On 8th October, 2014 Lambirds Academy made an application for incentives to the Ministry of Commerce.  The application was processed and a draft memorandum was prepared for submission to Cabinet when we heard of the arrest of Dr. Shams and others.

On 9th March, 2015 the Cabinet of Ministers appointed a sub-committee, comprising Ministers of Education, National Security and Commerce to review the matter and report to cabinet.

On March 12, 2015 the sub-committee met with ACP Frances Henry and Officer Mason who were responsible for the Lambirds Academy investigation.  The Police gave information on the reasons why the four individuals were arrested and charged and that the case was presented to the DPP whose office had provided legal advice and sanctioned the laying of charges.  I then questioned why the Ministry of Commerce was not informed.  The Officers informed that they had been trying to contact one Nancy Charles, but had been unsuccessful.  I informed the police that Ms Charles was the Secretary to the Trade Licence Board and an employee of the Ministry of Commerce.

About a week later, I was concerned that no one had contacted the Ministry and called the Minister of National Security expressing that concern.

On the evening of 23rd March, after Cabinet, my secretary informed me that the police visited the Ministry with a search warrant.

On Tuesday, 24th March, which was the date of the last sitting of Parliament, while I was in Parliament, the police again visited the Ministry and on that occasion requested the Lambirds Academy file that was in my office.

I was informed that the police threatened to break down the door of my office to retrieve the said file.  My secretary handed the Lambird’s Academy file to the police and they copied whatever documents they needed.

I was informed by Ms. Charles, that the police also got copies of e-mails from her computer.

On Wednesday 25th March, and on at least two other occasions, I called the Acting Commissioner of Police and objected to the Ministry being treated as a hostile witness as the Ministry was always willing to cooperate on this matter.  The acting Commissioner informed me that he had informed the officer leading the investigation.  To date, no one has spoken to me on this matter.

On 30 March, 2015 the Cabinet of Ministers took a decision to conduct an independent enquiry on the matter in due course.  I welcome this decision.

On 26th March, Mr. Mandille Alcee –Investment Services Officer of Invest St. Lucia issued a sworn statement to the police on the matter.

On 30th March, Ms. Nancy Charles, Director of Investment coordination and Secretary to the Trade Licence Advisory Board, issued a sworn statement to the police on the matter.

Mr. Speaker, to the best of my knowledge, these are the facts concerning Lambirds Academy as I know it.

As Minister for Commerce, I acted within the authority of the law, and at all times, I acted on the advice of the technical staff/public officials.

Equally, officials from Invest St. Lucia and the various Ministries could only make recommendations based on the information at hand, none of which, at the time, gave any valid and compelling legal reason for denying  Lambirds Academy the licences which it required to operate in Saint. Lucia.

Investigations into the death of an elderly woman who was found in a bathtub on April 26, is now being treated as a homicide.

Police were investigating the case as a possible sudden death at first.

However, based on the strange circumstances under which she died, the case is now being handled differently.

St. Lucia News Online (SNO) understands that two persons were taken into custody and questioned with regards to the elderly woman’s death.

The body of Mary Dupree, 83, was discovered in a bathtub at a home in Sunny Acres on Sunday at about 6:30 p.m., police said.

Dupree’s body was discovered by neighbours who became suspicious after not seeing her for a couple days.

A police officer has been stationed at the crime scene and the area has been cordoned off.

“Know you laws” is a production of the Press Office of the Royal St Lucia Police Force.

Did you know? According to Section;

 619.    DUTY TO ALLOW SEARCH

( 1)     Whenever any place liable by virtue of a warrant to search or inspection is closed, any person residing in, or in charge of such place shall, on demand of the officer or person executing the warrant, and on production of the warrant, allow him or her free access into such place and afford reasonable facilities for the search.

(2)     If access into such place cannot be so obtained, the officer or person executing the warrant may proceed in the manner provided under section 581.

(3)     Where the person in or about such place is reasonably suspected of concealing on his or her person any article for which a search may be made, the person may be searched.

581.    POWER TO BREAK AND ENTER IN EXECUTION OF WARRANT

(1)     A police officer authorized to execute any warrant may, for the purposes of executing it, either with or without assistance from any other person or persons, break open and enter any house, building, or enclosed place, if he or she cannot otherwise enter the house, building, or enclosed place

(2)     Before acting in accordance to subsection (1), the police officer must, as far as practicable, inform the occupier that he or she is in possession of a warrant, or that a warrant has been issued for his or her arrest or that of a person suspected to be on the premises.

This has been “Know Your Laws”. We at the Royal Saint Lucia Police force encourage the citizenry to read and study the laws which governs our society. Never forget that knowledge is power.

Going Places Travel Gros-Islet branch was robbed by gunmen this morning, police officials have confirmed.

The incident occurred at about 9:30.a.m.

St. Lucia News Online (SNO) understands that two gunmen entered the business premises and demanded cash from the employees.

No one from the business nor the Gros-Islet Police Station were available to comment.

It is unclear whether anyone was hurt or the bandits were able to retrieve any cash.

Asher Emmanuel.

PRESS RELEASE - On Thursday, April 30, 2015 the police proffered murder charges against  23 year old Danny Charlemagne also known as “Danny Cat” of Leslie Land, Castries and 19 year old, Mikeave Scotland also known as “Peterson” of Barnard Hill, Castries.

The men have been charged in connection with the homicide of 48 year old, Asher “BJ” Emmanuel who was shot multiple times on Tuesday, April 7, 2015 about 10:30a.m in Leslie Land, Castries.

The men made an appearance before the First District Court where they were remanded in custody at the Bordelais Correctional Facility.

Seven Napalese nationals who were recently detained by law enforcement officials in Grenada have returned to Saint Lucia.

The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) has launched an investigation into the matter.

The students were 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, on April 17.

“The students arrived in Grenada via boat on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 from St Lucia,” the Grenada Police Force said in a brief statement.

Grenadian police said they were sent back to St. Lucia because that was their last port of legal entry “and then we have a situation where all their travel documents are with law enforcement there”.

A Ghanaian national, who resides in Trinidad, was also arrested and charged for trafficking the students.

The students are among a group of Asians who have been left virtually stranded here as a result of what has become known as the “Lambirds Academy affair”.‎ The students are foreign nationals of: Nepal, The Philippines and India.

A small batch was 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 the Academy. The CEO was also charged with money laundering.

St. Lucia News Online has received reports of a police shooting in the town of Gros Islet Friday night.

Details are sketchy at this moment, but reports are that a young man was shot in the leg by a police officer in uniform around 8:30-9 p.m.

No further details available at this time.

Stabbing victim Jhvonne Camille.

A 20-year-old man underwent life-saving surgery hours ago after he was reportedly stabbed on Friday night, according to several sources.

The victim, Jhvonne Camille of Micoud, was stabbed in the abdomen and had to undergo emergency surgery at St. Jude’s Hospital, the relative said.

The incident reportedly occurred near a pub by the Troumassee Bridge.

A friend close to the victim told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that Camille was stabbed during an alleged unprovoked attack. The friend is not sure if the attacker and Camille had any disputes prior to the incident.

“He was standing and the guy just passed next to him and stabbed him. After he got stabbed he (Camille) went to his friends and told them and the didn’t believe him. They thought he was was fooling around like he always does, but when he fell to the ground they realise he was not joking,” the friend said.

It is not yet clear if Camille knew his attacker.

The official website of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines government has been hacked by the Islamic State (IS).

Visitors to the website, , www.gov.vc, are greeted by the message “Hacked by Moroccanwolf – Islamic State”  - accompanied by a photo of a man firing a machine gun from the back of a pick-up.

Below the photo is the following message: “US and NATO Forces are involved in Organised butchery of Human race since it’s inception.
They overthrow governments of sovereign nations and they undermine, threaten, refuse to recognise and seek to destroy democratically elected governments like they are in , Syria , Iraq , Gaza, Palestine.

“They support dictators as long as they are fulfilling US, EU & NATO interest in the region like they did in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. You speak of Freedom of speech and freedom of expression but you remain silent in the face of a people desire to seek freedom to exist – unless those people are Israeli Zionists! Hypocrisy of this magnitude will bring the chickens home to roost and not peace and security as is your mantra!

Islamic State Hackers”

Efforts to reach government officials so far have proved futile, according to media reports.

Islamic State (IS) is a radical Islamist group that has seized large swathes of territory in eastern Syria and across northern and western Iraq.

Its brutal tactics – including mass killings and abductions of members of religious and ethnic minorities, as well as the beheadings of soldiers and journalists – have sparked fear and outrage across the world and prompted US military intervention.

The group aims to establish a “caliphate”, a state ruled by a single political and religious leader according to Islamic law, or Sharia.

Although currently limited to Iraq and Syria, IS has promised to “break the borders” of Jordan and Lebanon and to “free Palestine”. It attracts support from Muslims across the world and demands that all swear allegiance to its leader – Ibrahim Awad Ibrahim Ali al-Badri al-Samarrai, better known as Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

PRESS RELEASE - On Sunday, May 3, 2015 about 6:00 a.m. officers attached to the Marchand Police Station received information of the discovery of a dead body in Tou Rouge, Marchand.

Upon arrival, the officers found the lifeless body of John Joseph Johnny also known as “Magana” of Tou Rouge, Marchand. Johnny, believed to be in his fifties was found under a collapsed wall which formed part of an abandoned structure which he occupied.

The body was pronounced dead by a medical doctor. A post mortem examination to determine the cause of death is scheduled for Monday May 4, 2015.

PRESS RELEASE - On Sunday, May 3, 2015 about 3:45 p.m. officers attached to the Soufriere Police station received information of a sudden death on the Gros Piton trail.

Upon arrival, officers found the lifeless body of 31 year old, Samyca Harris Edwin, a resident of North Carolina in the United States of America.

Edwin, a doctor by profession was hiking the trail along with her husband, also a doctor when she suddenly collapsed. Her husband administered CPR but Edwin never regained consciousness.

Her body was transported to the Soufriere hospital where she was pronounced dead by a medical doctor.

A post mortem examination to determine the cause of death is scheduled for Wednesday May 6, 2015.

PRESS RELEASE - On Saturday, April 18, 2015 it was alleged that seven Napalese Nationals were missing from their place of abode.

Based on investigations, police confirmed that the seven Nepalese Nationals were detained by law enforcement in Grenada.

On Friday, May 1st, 2015 the seven Napalese Nationals were repatriated to St Lucia from Grenada.

Investigations are continuing into the matter.

Jonahan St. Rose aka Ninja Dan.

A mistrial was declared Monday evening in the case of former Soca Monarch Jonathan ‘Ninja Dan’ St. Rose, who is jointly accused of killing a man in Marchand during 2009.

The judgment was handed down by Justice Francis Cumberbatch at about 9:00p.m. (May 4).

In the panel of 12 jurors, one was undecided in his/her decision. The jury was therefore unable to reach a verdict.

A unanimous decision either to convict or acquit the defendant is always necessary in capital offences.

St. Rose has been charged along with two other men – Lyden Blasse and Marvin Terry Nelson – in connection with the February 2009 death of Dwayne ‘Chubby’ James.

James was stabbed multiple times at Maynard Hill, Marchand on Saturday, February 14, 2009.

St. Rose has been on remand for close to six years at Bordelais Correctional Facility.

The  DPP will decide whether the case goes to re-trial or not.