Authorities uncover marijuana hidden in “dried fruit” tins during Port Castries cannabis seizure.
CASTRIES, St Lucia — A Port Castries cannabis seizure has led to the interception of more than EC$51,000 worth of marijuana and the arrest of a Babonneau man during a multi-agency operation.
The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force’s Gangs, Narcotics and Firearms Unit, in collaboration with the Customs and Excise Department, carried out a targeted search at Shed 6 on Friday, August 8, 2025. The search was triggered by intelligence on a suspicious inbound barrel shipment being cleared by Alston Singh, originally from Bonneterre but now residing in Babonneau.
During inspection, officers discovered five tins labeled as “dried fruit.” Citing recent drug seizures in similar packaging, police conducted a more detailed examination. One tin, opened in the presence of law enforcement, contained 2.58 kilograms of compressed marijuana. Field testing confirmed the substance, with an estimated street value of EC$51,600.
The operation comes amid a series of high-profile narcotics interdictions in St Lucia, including a recent port drug bust involving an NGO volunteer that drew significant public attention.
Multiple Charges Filed
Singh has been charged under the Drug (Prevention of Misuse) Act with importation of controlled drugs and possession with intent to supply. He also faces charges under the Customs Act for fraudulent evasion and for goods improperly imported.
Court Appearance and Bail
On Wednesday, August 13, 2025, Singh appeared before the First District Court, where he was granted bail set at EC$30,000, cash or suitable surety, along with additional court-imposed conditions.
Linked to Previous Drug Seizure
Police confirmed Singh was also implicated in a December 5, 2024 incident involving the seizure of marijuana by-products and MDMA, commonly known as Ecstasy. In that case, the drugs were hidden in a shipment processed through a courier facility in Castries. Similar smuggling attempts have been intercepted before, such as the St Lucia Post Office drug bust where narcotics were concealed in inbound mail packages.
Authorities say the December 2024 matter remains under review in connection with the latest arrest.
The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) reaffirmed its commitment to disrupting the illegal drug trade, describing the Port Castries cannabis seizure as part of an ongoing crackdown on the importation of controlled substances into St Lucia.
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