In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, three employees of the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA) have been arrested and charged following a major drug bust at Port Castries. The operation, conducted on October 17, 2025, was a joint effort by the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) and the Customs and Excise Department, based on intelligence reports.
During the operation, authorities intercepted a grey van driven by Cyril Joseph, a Red Cap assigned to the port. A barrel in the vehicle, which had not been cleared for customs inspection, was found to contain cannabis, cannabis resin (hashish), and MDMA crystals (commonly known as ecstasy), with an estimated street value of $705,686.50.
Further investigations revealed a coordinated effort among several port employees to bypass customs procedures, leading to the arrest of two additional SLASPA workers, Ian Moncherry and Nadia Edward. A subsequent search of Moncherry’s residence uncovered an additional quantity of cannabis resin valued at $4,200.
All three individuals were charged on October 22, 2025, with offences including importation of a controlled drug, possession with intent to supply, aiding and abetting, and fraudulent evasion of customs duties and controls. They appeared before the First District Court on October 24 and were each granted bail in the sum of $45,000, either in cash or with a suitable surety.
The RSLPF emphasized that this operation highlights ongoing efforts to safeguard Saint Lucia’s borders and combat corruption within key institutions. A police statement declared, ‘This operation is a clear message that corruption and criminal collusion will not be tolerated,’ noting that illegal drugs and firearms entering through the island’s ports ‘directly fuel violent crime, gang activity, and homicides within our communities.’