The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) confirmed to Loop News on Thursday that the investigation into the discovery of a large quantity of drugs in a shipping container on the compound of a popular business establishment in the north remains active.
The discovery, which is said to be approximately two tons of cannabis with a street value of $4 million, was made during a police operation on April 27.
The RSLPF came under heavy fire from the public for the lack of updates on the status of the investigation.
The police came under more criticism on Wednesday after a 42-year-old Cap Estate resident was arrested and charged for possession of drugs, illegal firearm and ammunition, resulting from a police operation on June 15.
Many questioned the swiftness in laying charges against the individual, while charges are yet to be made in relation to the container drug find.
“The matter is currently under investigation,” according to the RSLPF. “Due to how the discovery was made, it is not as simple to establish who is criminally liable. Possession is such that you must have a reasonable degree of control over something to be criminally responsible. If someone had accessed the container or the items therein, it would’ve made for a simpler matter. The nature of the discovery makes it a more complex investigation than that of a matter where someone is found with drugs on their person.”
According to well-placed sources, the container was shipped from Asia and stopped in Jamaica before arriving in Saint Lucia.
Most times, a container is cleared on the premise of the individual or business to which the contents inside belong, in the presence of a customs officer.
However, because the drugs were intercepted before the container was cleared, it makes it more complex to isolate an individual or individuals to be held accountable.
https://stlucia.loopnews.com/content/rslpf-container-drugs-investigation-very-active
