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Saint Lucians Outraged as BEMAX Scandal Links Developer to Criminal Smuggling Operation
The Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) government finds itself embroiled in controversy yet again, this time with the Rock Hall Housing Project tied to the tarnished company BEMAX. Despite recent arrests of BEMAX owner Aleksandar-Aco Mijajlovic, the SLP government SHAMELESSLY continues to push forward, placing equipment on-site in a thinly veiled attempt to deceive the people of Saint Lucia. The move comes just days after international authorities arrested Mijajlovic for his involvement in a sprawling tobacco-smuggling ring, leaving many questioning the government’s judgment and integrity.
Mijajlovic was detained in February, along with five police officers, during a high-profile police operation in the cities of Podgorica and Niksic. The crackdown, executed in partnership with the European Intelligence Agency (Europol), targeted an organized crime syndicate allegedly led by Mijajlovic. According to Montenegro’s Special State Prosecutor’s Office, Mijajlovic faces charges of forming a criminal organization and smuggling, casting a long shadow over his role as an “approved developer” under the SLP administration.
01
of 05A Tarnished Partner
Saint Lucians should be alarmed. Mijajlovic’s ties to criminal activity were not a mystery to those in power. His arrest follows accusations that he and another businessman, Ranko Ubovic, are major players in the notorious Grand Smuggling Group, a tobacco-smuggling empire that reportedly cost Montenegro billions of euros. Despite these allegations, the SLP government not only engaged with Mijajlovic but also awarded him Saint Lucian passports to sell—a shocking betrayal of trust.
Former Montenegrin Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic, who championed the arrest, labeled Mijajlovic and his associates as leading figures in Montenegro’s underworld. “The so-called Grand Group was one of the largest smuggling rings, bleeding billions from our economy. The arrest of Mijajlovic is a step toward justice,” Abazovic declared.
Yet, in Saint Lucia, Mijajlovic found an open door and a lucrative opportunity to partner with the government.
02
of 05Smoke and Mirrors at Rock Hall
In a pathetic display of damage control, the SLP government has hastily deployed a few pieces of construction equipment to the Rock Hall Housing Project site. What should have been a transparent effort to build affordable housing for Saint Lucians now reeks of deceit. The timing of this token move—mere days after the exposure of Mijajlovic’s criminal connections—suggests that the government is more interested in covering its tracks than addressing the concerns of its citizens.
Instead of admitting to the misstep of partnering with a man accused of running one of Europe’s largest smuggling rings, the SLP appears to be hoping that a few bulldozers and excavators will make the public forget about the gravity of the situation. But this shallow charade only insults the intelligence of the people of Saint Lucia, who deserve better than half-hearted attempts at damage control.
03
of 05BEMAX: A History of Corruption
The company at the heart of this scandal, BEMAX, is no stranger to controversy. For years, civil society organizations, media outlets, and political opposition in Montenegro have raised red flags about the company’s murky dealings. BEMAX, co-owned by Mijajlovic and Ubovic, flourished under the patronage of Montenegro’s former ruling party, the Democratic Party of Socialists, led by Milo Djukanovic. The close ties between BEMAX and the corrupt Montenegrin regime only add to the list of concerns surrounding the company’s operations in Saint Lucia.
The company’s long history of alleged criminal activity makes its involvement in Saint Lucia’s major public projects all the more troubling. Why would the SLP government, aware of these accusations, continue to place Saint Lucian development in the hands of an organization known for its underworld dealings?
04
of 05SLP’s Reckless Governance
This is yet another scandal that highlights the reckless and short-sighted nature of the current administration. The SLP’s decision to make Mijajlovic and BEMAX “approved developers” and reward them with the sale of Saint Lucian passports is deeply disturbing. The government’s willingness to ignore red flags and align itself with criminal figures poses serious questions about its priorities and governance.
The people of Saint Lucia deserve transparency, accountability, and leadership that places the nation’s interests above personal or political gain. Instead, the SLP government has chosen to partner with a man now accused of crimes that have rocked Montenegro. The administration’s actions show a blatant disregard for the integrity of Saint Lucia’s citizenship and the welfare of its people.
05
of 05A Call for Accountability
As more details emerge about BEMAX and Mijajlovic’s criminal involvement, it’s time for the government to come clean. The administration must answer for its decisions and disclose the full extent of its dealings with Mijajlovic, BEMAX, and the Saint Lucian passports that were reportedly handed over to this accused criminal.
The people of Saint Lucia will not be distracted by bulldozers and empty gestures. They demand real answers and accountability. The SLP’s reckless gamble with the country’s reputation has backfired, and now it must face the consequences of its shameful alliance with Aleksandar-Aco Mijajlovic.
The Rock Hall Housing Project once heralded as a beacon of hope for affordable housing in Saint Lucia, has become a symbol of governmental malpractice and international scandal. The involvement of Aleksandar Mijajlovic—a known criminal figure—leaves Saint Lucians questioning the integrity and priorities of their government. This shameful alliance has tarnished the country’s reputation and endangered its economic future.
Unitedpac St. Lucia News will continue to bring you updates on this developing story.
