CASTRIES, St Lucia — A coordinated Castries Basin operation involving specialized police units led to a drug arrest, the seizure of multiple weapons, and the discovery of a suspicious vehicle bearing a fraudulent registration plate, authorities confirmed.
The exercise, conducted on Friday evening, March 6, brought together officers from the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force’s Gangs, Narcotics and Firearms Unit and the Department of Road Safety and Traffic Investigation. The joint Castries Basin operation targeted known crime hotspots and key roadways within the capital and surrounding communities.
Officials said the initiative formed part of ongoing enforcement efforts aimed at disrupting criminal activity, identifying illegal weapons, and strengthening public safety visibility across the Castries basin. The latest exercise comes amid continued concern over weapons-related activity in the capital, including a recent case in which police reported an illegal firearm recovered on Chaussee Road.
Drug Arrest During Castries Basin Operation
The first phase of the Castries Basin operation began around 6 p.m., when officers conducted stop-and-search exercises in areas identified as high-risk zones.
Police reported that ninety-three individuals were searched during the operation.
During those searches, officers arrested 31-year-old Makeba Wilson of Marigot after allegedly discovering approximately 95 grams of cannabis resin in her possession. Investigators subsequently charged Wilson with Possession of Cannabis Resin and Possession of Cannabis Resin with Intent to supply to another.
Authorities said Wilson was later granted bail on her own recognizance in the amount of $1,000 for each charge while awaiting further court proceedings.
In a separate incident during the same exercise, police also arrested a male individual for disorderly behaviour.
Officers reported confiscating several prohibited items during the searches, including seventeen knives, two ski masks, and four additional sharp instruments.
Law enforcement officials said the seizures highlight ongoing concerns about weapons being carried in public spaces within the Castries basin.
Suspicious Vehicle Recovered After Checkpoint Incident
The second phase of the Castries Basin operation commenced around 9:30 p.m., when officers established traffic checkpoints at La Clery and Calvary Road.
During this stage, police stopped and inspected approximately fifty vehicles as part of routine enforcement checks.
Authorities issued eleven traffic tickets for various road traffic violations identified during the inspections.
Police said one vehicle, however, raised significant concern during the checkpoint operation.
According to investigators, a white Toyota Noah failed to stop when approaching the checkpoints and instead sped through both enforcement points.
Officers later located the vehicle abandoned in the New Village area. Police reported that the rear glass of the vehicle displayed what appeared to be bullet holes.
Further checks revealed that the Toyota Noah was bearing a fraudulent registration plate.
The vehicle was subsequently impounded as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the incident and the identity of those involved.
Authorities said the Castries Basin operation forms part of broader policing efforts aimed at strengthening crime prevention, removing illegal weapons from the streets, and enforcing traffic safety regulations within the capital.
