St. Vincent and the Grenadines faces escalating drug trade complications as National Security Minister St. Clair Leacock issued a urgent public warning on Thursday regarding cocaine packages washing ashore. The minister specifically instructed citizens to immediately report any drug parcels found at sea or on beaches to law enforcement authorities, emphasizing that attempting to profit from such discoveries would not be tolerated.
This development follows courtroom revelations that local police informally refer to maritime cocaine discoveries as “sea lotto”—a term that surfaced during legal proceedings involving two fishermen charged with possession and trafficking of 22.9 pounds of cocaine. Defense attorney Grant Connell disclosed this terminology while representing Sebastian Audain and Alvin Cyrus, whose cases have drawn attention to the wider implications of recent US military operations in the region.
The situation escalated dramatically with confirmation from SVG Coast Guard Commander Deon Henry that US drone strikes destroyed two vessels within the nation’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) earlier this week. These military actions, which resulted in multiple casualties including St. Lucian nationals, occurred without prior notification to Vincentian authorities according to Minister Leacock, who expressed diplomatic concern over the breach of sovereign protocols.
The national security minister articulated disappointment regarding Washington’s failure to consult Kingstown before executing military operations within its jurisdictional waters. While acknowledging the power disparity between the nations, Leacock emphasized commitments to international legal frameworks and sovereign rights through regional alliances including the OECS and CARICOM. He assured citizens that the matter would be pursued through appropriate diplomatic channels while strengthening domestic security measures against narcotics trafficking.
Law enforcement agencies remain on high alert as the ministry collaborates with police, coast guard, and auxiliary services to manage the increased drug influx. Officials attribute the floating cocaine packages to the destruction of trafficking vessels, which has created unintended opportunities for civilians to encounter drugs at sea—a phenomenon now requiring coordinated public awareness and response strategies.