A 29-year-old mechanic from Belmont has been handed a major financial penalty after admitting to illegal cocaine possession in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, in a case that underscores law enforcement’s ongoing push to dismantle local drug networks.
Mathew Alexus was ordered by the Serious Offences Court to pay a EC$1,700 fine within 30 days, after pleading guilty to the charge of possessing 29 grams of cocaine with intent to supply. The offense was committed in Arnos Vale during a Sunday operation that led to his arrest. If Alexus fails to meet the fine requirement, the court has ruled he will serve an automatic six-month prison sentence. Authorities have also ordered the immediate destruction of the seized narcotics.
Following the court ruling Tuesday, the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to rooting out illegal drug activity across the islands. In an official press statement issued the same day, law enforcement leaders emphasized that illicit drug trade remains a persistent threat to public order, driving widespread criminal activity that harms vulnerable families and destabilizes communities across the nation.
To strengthen ongoing anti-drug efforts, police are calling for expanded public partnership in the fight against narcotics trafficking, possession and distribution. Community members are urged to share any information related to suspicious drug activity via established channels, including the closest local police station. “Together, we can build safer and healthier communities for all,” the statement concluded.