BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – WHILE media operatives were awaiting the dissemination of a promised press release, the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force instead held a snap press conference this afternoon (Oct. 1) to reveal information about an early morning drug bust which led to the shooting death of a non-national.
The intelligence-led operation took place sometime after 5:00 a.m. today in the Conaree area and, according to the statement given by Acting Commissioner of Police Stafford Liburd at the press briefing, the illegal substance was trafficked aboard a vessel and has a street value of near EC$1M.
He said when the two occupants on the vessel were challenged by the police officers, one opened fire and the police responded likewise, fatally wounding one of the occupants.
“Early this morning, members of the RSCNPF conducted an operation at a secluded beach in the Conaree area. During the operation our officers observed a pickup truck on the beach and a speed boat approaching the shores. Upon their arrival, the two occupants of the vessel were challenged. One occupant opened fire upon our officers. Our officers, in defence, returned fire and one of the occupants was fatally wounded.
“The vessel was searched and four bails said to contain 124 pounds of compressed marijuana was discovered. The street value is appx. EC$930,000. Technicians of the Forensic Services Unit processed the scene and items of value were collected and taken into police custody for further analysis.”
Assistant Commissioner of Police with responsibility for Crime Ian Queeley told the media that the deceased was aboard the vessel when he was shot and that the occupants of the pickup truck made an attempt to leave the scene but were apprehended by the police before they could do so.
CoP (Ag) Liburd said the police’s operation was aided by the St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force and the Coast Guard, from which a team of divers “recovered from the ocean one loaded .380 pistol with a magazine containing four rounds of ammunition”.
The operation led to three individuals – the other occupant of the vessel and two locals, one of whom was the driver of the pickup truck – being taken into police custody and are said to be assisting with the investigation.
Liburd said he was unable to indicate from which Caribbean territory the vessel originated but did inform that that is under investigation, and as such the next of kin of the deceased has yet to be informed of his demise.
Charges are likely to be laid as the investigation progresses, according to ACP Queeley.
The press was advised that the Acting Minister of National Security, the Hon. Ian ‘Patches’ Liburd, was apprised of the situation and so was the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Informing that the High Command of the Police Force “regrets this loss of life”, the CoP (Ag) thanked its officers for “their dedication, bravery and commitment to professionalism in their continued fight to keep St. Kitts and Nevis a safe place to live, work, visit and do business”.
