Police uncover port smuggling plot tied to Customs employees
CASTRIES, St Lucia — Three Customs employees arrested in St Lucia are now under investigation following a major police operation into the importation of controlled drugs through the Vieux Fort Port. The coordinated operation, led by the Gangs, Narcotics and Firearms Unit (GNF) in collaboration with the Central Intelligence Unit, marked the culmination of months of surveillance and analysis targeting drug trafficking through legitimate shipping channels, according to the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force.
Police said the arrests stem from an investigation that began on May 29, 2025, when cannabis resin concealed within food items was first discovered. Following detailed intelligence gathering, officers executed multiple search warrants on Monday, leading to the arrest of three Customs workers: Janus Harrow, a Customs Officer II of Vieux Fort; Stephon Sylvester, a typist; and Christion Hippolyte, a porter with the department.
Authorities allege that the trio used their positions within the Customs and Excise Department to falsify documentation and facilitate the clearance and concealment of narcotics within imported cargo. All three suspects were taken into custody for importation of controlled drugs and uttering false documents, offences under the Drugs (Prevention of Misuse) Act and the Criminal Code of Saint Lucia, respectively.
Cannabis resin seized during operation
During the operation, officers recovered 25 black plastic vacuum-sealed packages, each containing quantities of cannabis resin weighing approximately 10.35 kilograms in total. Police estimate the drugs carry a street value of EC$68,100.
Investigators also seized multiple cellphones believed to contain communications related to shipment tracking and coordination, along with various documents for forensic analysis. Inspector Shervon Matthieu of the GNF Unit confirmed that all exhibits were photographed, sealed, and logged into the Police Exhibit Management System in accordance with established protocols.
Sergeant Chester Simeon, who is leading the investigation, said the arrests were executed without resistance and that the evidence gathered will undergo detailed forensic examination to support potential prosecutions.
Linked raids in Marchand and Bois Den, Jacmel
Earlier that same morning, before the arrests, officers carried out three additional search warrants in the communities of Marchand and Bois Den, Jacmel, at the residences of known associates linked to the suspects. The properties had been flagged in previous intelligence reports as part of a broader narcotics network operating across Saint Lucia.
The coordinated operations were supported by the Tactical Enforcement Team (TET) and Scenes of Crime Officers (SOCO). Although no drugs or weapons were recovered, police collected several documents of interest, including remittance slips and customs declarations, which are now under examination.
This latest operation follows a series of major narcotics-related cases, including the St Lucia post office drug bust and the Port Castries cannabis seizure, both of which revealed similar smuggling methods through official ports of entry.
Investigation moves to prosecution phase
According to the police, the next phase of the investigation involves a forensic review of all electronic and physical evidence, obtaining formal statements from the suspects, and preparing a comprehensive file for submission to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for charge approval.
Inspector Matthieu described the arrests as a “major milestone” in dismantling what appears to be a sophisticated smuggling ring that exploited legitimate government systems to facilitate criminal activity.
“The arrests of serving Customs employees highlight the level of sophistication and internal compromise faced by law enforcement in combating transnational organized crime,” Matthieu said in his official report.
The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining integrity within public institutions and strengthening collaboration between agencies to prevent the infiltration of criminal enterprises into state operations.
Readers can explore related stories such as the St Lucia drug trafficking crackdown and the NGO volunteer and port police officer arrested in major drug bust, which further illustrate the scale of ongoing narcotics investigations across the island.
For continuing updates on this investigation and other major crime stories, follow Unitedpac St Lucia News.
