Minister under scrutiny as St Lucia Police operation highlights crime surge
CASTRIES, St Lucia — A St Lucia Police operation in Barnard Hill on Thursday led to the seizure of eight firearms, including parts of a rifle, as authorities continue their fight against rising gun crime.
At least one individual, already known to the public, was detained in connection with the discovery. Investigators confirmed that the matter remains under active review.
Minister for Crime Prevention Jeremiah Norbert addressed the development on Friday, insisting that the government would intensify efforts against illegal weapons and criminal networks. Norbert, who left the police force as a junior constable, now finds himself issuing directives to his former superiors, a political irony not lost on observers.
“If you aid, abet, or benefit from the proceeds of crime, whether as a family member, friend, or institution, you too will face the full brunt of the law,” Norbert said.
The Barnard Hill seizure comes in the middle of one of the island’s bloodiest weeks of the year, with six unrelated homicides recorded. Just days earlier, two men were shot in Bexon, leaving one dead and another critically injured, underscoring the escalating cycle of violence gripping St Lucia.
Norbert is currently before the courts on a charge of driving without vehicle insurance, raising further questions about his own example as he lectures the public on accountability.
Police confirmed that investigations into the Barnard Hill operation are ongoing.
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