ST. JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda – August 21, 2026 – The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda’s sustained anti-crime campaign, Operation Restore Confidence, has announced a fresh wave of successful law enforcement actions this week, marking significant progress in the country’s fight against illicit weapons and controlled substance trafficking.
The week of targeted operations closed out with a high-stakes raid on Thursday, August 20, when officers executed multiple court-authorized search warrants across Potters Village. During a systematic search of the local business Magic City Enterprise, law enforcement teams recovered a cache of illegal contraband: multiple rounds of unregistered ammunition, plant material field-tested and confirmed to be cannabis, tablets believed to be the party drug ecstasy, a ski mask linked to potential criminal use, and an undisclosed sum of Eastern Caribbean currency. Three individuals were taken into custody immediately following the raid, facing preliminary charges of unlawful ammunition possession and controlled substances trafficking.
Just one day prior, on August 19, a routine stop-and-search operation on Nut Grove Main Road led to three more criminal charges. 35-year-old Lester Dyer, 24-year-old Gaitre Jairaj, and 28-year-old Isaiah Nicholas were found in possession of a loaded Taurus G3C 9mm pistol and 11 rounds of live ammunition, all unlicensed under national law. All three have been formally charged with firearms and ammunition possession violations.
Additional charges stemming from the week’s operations include two more high-profile cannabis-related cases. 49-year-old Omarie Johnson of Liberta faces charges connected to 24.2 pounds of trafficked cannabis, as well as the illegal cultivation and storage of cannabis plants. Separately, 49-year-old Peggy Warner of Jennings New Extension has been charged with a series of cannabis-related offenses, the details of which are still being compiled as the case moves through the court system.
Beyond targeted raids and traffic stops, law enforcement deployed widespread stop-and-screen checkpoints across 10 high-traffic and high-crime areas, including Cashew Hill, Friars Hill Road, Bendals Road, All Saints Road, American Road, Swetes, Liberta, and Buckleys. During Thursday’s checkpoint operation alone, officers stopped and inspected roughly 60 civilian vehicles. In line with national traffic safety regulations, officers ordered the immediate removal of illegally excessive window tints from multiple non-compliant vehicles, and seized two unregistered, unlicensed vehicles that were being operated illegally on public roads.
In a formal statement Friday, Police Administration confirmed that Operation Restore Confidence will remain an active, ongoing priority across both islands of Antigua and Barbuda. The campaign was launched with four core goals: removing illegal firearms and illicit drugs from public circulation, dismantling organized criminal networks, upholding the country’s legislative framework, and rebuilding public trust in local law enforcement. As the operation continues, officials are urging members of the public to maintain their active cooperation with police, encouraging anyone with information about suspicious or illegal activity to submit tips to the Central Investigation Department at 462-3913 or 462-3914, or to the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline at 800-TIPS (8477).