Organized crime probe launched after St Lucia 1.4 million cocaine seizure
CASTRIES, St Lucia – March 23, 2025 — Two men are in police custody following a major drug and firearm interdiction in Micoud that authorities say disrupted an illicit trafficking operation and led to the seizure of suspected cocaine valued at over EC$1.4 million.
The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) confirmed that officers attached to the Tactical Response Unit and the Gang, Narcotics, and Firearms (GNF) Unit – Southern Detachment executed an intelligence-driven operation in the early hours of Monday, March 17, 2025. Around 2:30 a.m., officers intercepted a vehicle at Vierge Point, Micoud, based on actionable intelligence regarding suspected trafficking activity.
The vehicle was occupied by two individuals: Lucius Popo, a resident of Babonneau, and Kerry Richardson of Castries. Police conducted a thorough search of the vehicle and its occupants, leading to the discovery of a Glock 25 .380 pistol, 15 rounds of ammunition, and a Firearm User Licence (FUL) registered to Popo. Upon further inspection, officers uncovered two black packages concealed inside the vehicle. Each package contained 25 individually wrapped blocks of a white substance suspected to be cocaine, totaling 50 blocks.
“The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) commends officers for their dedication in a successful intelligence-driven operation,” stated Inspector Shervon Matthieu, Officer in Charge of the GNF Unit. “The professionalism, coordination, and discipline demonstrated by all officers involved in this operation were instrumental in its success.”
Formal charges laid following interviews with legal counsel
Both suspects were taken into custody and transported to the Micoud Police Station, where they were detained and advised of their legal rights. Investigators conducted formal interviews on Tuesday, March 18, in the presence of the suspects’ legal representatives. Following the interviews and evidence processing, the two men were charged with the following indictable offenses:
- Possession of Controlled Drugs (Cocaine)
- Possession of Controlled Drugs with Intent to Supply to Another
The pair appeared before the Second District Court in Vieux Fort, where the magistrate ordered their remand to the Bordelais Correctional Facility. Their next court appearance is scheduled for April 17, 2025.
According to the RSLPF, the estimated street value of the cocaine stands at EC$1,431,750, or approximately USD 530,000 — a major financial loss to the suspected trafficking network behind the operation.
Authorities target drug routes with intelligence-led operations
Saint Lucia Police did not confirm whether the drugs were intended for local distribution or were part of a larger transshipment route through St Lucia to international markets. However, the case has reinforced concerns about the island’s vulnerability to drug trafficking given its strategic location within the Eastern Caribbean maritime corridor.
The RSLPF said the success of the operation reflects ongoing efforts to combat organized crime, with coordinated intelligence, targeted patrols, and increased inter-agency collaboration playing a central role in enforcement strategy. Regional entities such as the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) have also played a supporting role in strengthening intelligence-sharing and maritime surveillance capabilities across the Eastern Caribbean.
“This interdiction is part of a wider framework to detect, disrupt, and dismantle drug and firearm networks operating in and around St Lucia,” Inspector Matthieu added.
The Saint Lucia police also acknowledged the operational support provided by the Central Intelligence Unit, whose pre-operational assessments contributed significantly to the planning and timing of the interception.
Firearms and narcotics remain central to public safety risks
The recovered firearm, though licensed, remains under review as investigators seek to determine its intended use and relevance to the narcotics operation. Law enforcement officials have expressed growing concern about the intersection of drug trafficking and gun-related violence, citing an uptick in firearm seizures associated with narcotics cases in recent years.
Residents are being encouraged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity, particularly in communities located near transshipment routes and coastal areas, which are frequently targeted by smugglers.
The RSLPF reaffirmed its commitment to disrupting criminal operations and ensuring public safety, emphasizing that more intelligence-led operations are being planned in high-risk districts across the island.
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