CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – IN what may be classified as one of the largest drug bust in the history of the twin-island Federation, police today (Nov. 13) have arrested and charged a young female resident of Nevis for illegal possession of 517 pounds of marijuana.
A police release stated that at 12:15 p.m. today, members of the Anti-Narcotics Unit, Special Services Unit and the Nevis Task Force had conducted a search on the Cherry Gardens residence of Patricesia James and found the illegal drugs, which have a street value of EC$7.75M.
Reportedly, James was arrested and charged with illegal possession of cannabis and possession of cannabis with intent to supply and is expected to appear before the Court shortly.
According to Ian Queeley, the Assistant Commissioner of Police with responsibility for Crime, seizure of the illegal drugs was as a result of a joint operation conducted by some of the Force’s finest.
“It was also the result of hard work and commitment to the very challenging task at hand. Our teams successfully executed an operation that resulted in the seizure of this very significant quantity of illegal drugs and the arrest of one person. We will continue to investigate this find,” Queeley said.
He also said that the operation “is a demonstration that our Intelligence-Led Policing and Targeted Operations efforts as outlined in the Six-Point Plan' is beginning to bear fruit”.
The ASP further said that it also clearly demonstrates that the Police Force is serious about what “we do and we will remain vigilant and will be steadfast in our commitment to ensuring the safety of our citizens and our nation”.
The release indicated that the Acting Commissioner of Police, Stafford Liburd, who is abroad on police business, took time out to send a congratulatory message to the officers who conducted the operation.
“You should be proud of your work. You have been diligent, vigilant and professional. Today I salute you and St. Kitts and Nevis thanks you for your great work. You have made the Force proud.”
It also stated that the Police Force had extended appreciation to the St. Kitts and Nevis Coast Guard for its assistance in the operation.
This has been the second successful drug bust of significant magnitude conducted by the Police Force in less than a week.
Last week Thursday, members of the Special Services Unit, Anti-Drug Unit and the Strategic Intelligence Unit with assistance from the Nevis Division, had conducted a series of vehicular stop and search operations in the Federation, which resulted in two separate drug busts.
One of the searches was conducted in the Southeast Peninsula area and realised the find of 13.5 kilos of compressed marijuana, with a street value of EC$450,000, while the other was in Basseterre, where 6.4 grams of cocaine and 762 grams of marijuana were found. The two illegal drugs have a combined street value of EC$49,908.
