Two St. Lucians in custody
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – TWO St. Lucians are currently in police custody and will soon be charged after they were caught Saturday (Sept. 1) in St. Kitts-Nevis’ territorial waters aboard a yacht carrying a large quantity of cocaine.
According to the Public Affairs Officer of the St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF), Captain Kayode Sutton, the two men were nabbed during a joint Maritime Anti-Narcotics Operation between the SKNDF Coast Guard and the Dutch Navy Frigate HR. MS. TROMP (F-803).
Sutton explained that the operation was being conducted in the Federation’s waters on Saturday afternoon when a white vessel was seen in the Old Road area and the occupants were acting in a suspicious manner.
“Members of the joint operation had seen a white yacht bearing the name SINESTRA PROVE sailing in the Old Road area, and it was observed that the crew of that vessel was jettisoning bags into the Caribbean Sea.
“The naval/coast guard vessels closed with the yacht and recovered six bags from the water. On examination of the bags, it was discovered that they each contained 20 three-inch thick 12-inch long packages of a white substance, which an initial field test proved positive as cocaine.”
Captain Sutton explained that the was escorted to the St. Kitts-Nevis Coast Guard Base at Bird Rock, where it was boarded and a thorough search was conducted in conjunction with the St. Kitts and Nevis Customs Department.
“On boarding the 46-foot long vessel, a search revealed that it was registered in Cardiff, Wales and two St. Lucia nationals were on board – Vincent Clerice, the owner and captain, and crewman Nixon Alexander. Both men and the 120 packages of cocaine were handed over to the police.
He noted that members of the Royal St Christopher and Nevis Police Force Drug Squad were also present at the SKNDFCG Base and they had conducted the initial on scene routine procedures necessary for future legal action.
Sutton, on behalf of the government of St. Kitts and Nevis, Commander, Officers and Other Ranks of the SKNDF, expressed sincere gratitude to the crew of the HR.MS. TROMP for their cooperation and support during the Anti-Narcotics Operation.
“Once again, St. Kitts and Nevis has demonstrated its resolve in ensuring the security of our beautiful twin-island Federation and the region at large, and will continue its security cooperation initiatives with other Caribbean nations, as well as Holland, the United States of America, the United Kingdom and France,” Sutton added.
SKNVibes learnt that in keeping with the Contraband Act, the SINESTRA PROVE might be seized.
Captain Sutton told this media house that the Dutch Navy Frigate HR. MS. TROMP is an 803 class vessel fitted with an anti-aircraft defence system and has been patrolling the Federation’s territorial waters during the entire summer.
He also said that in keeping with one of the SKNDF’s mandates, “Protection of the territorial integrity of the Federation”, the government had signed the Sea Rider Agreement with the Dutch, the US, the UK and France.
Sutton explained that the Sea Rider Agreement is intended to assist the Federation in protecting its Exclusive Economic Zone from illegal fishing and international crimes such as smuggling of goods and human and drugs trafficking.
He also explained that the joint operation is an ongoing process and “there is no gap in its execution; for as soon as one of the countries that signed on to the Agreement concludes its stint, another takes its place with members of the SKNDF Coast Guard aboard their vessels”.
