Police on Saturday confirmed that 95 kilograms of cocaine was recently confiscated in Canouan.
It was the first comment by the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force on the major drug bust since a Facebook post on Sept. 17.
The “happening now” post said that the RSVGPF, through its Coast Guard Service, was processing “a major drug seizure following an operation in the Grenadines” earlier that day.
“A large quantity of suspected cocaine has been recovered, and several persons are currently in police custody. Police personnel are processing the scene and securing the exhibits as investigations continue. Further information will be released when it is appropriate to do so,” the post said.
Responding to a question at a press conference in Kingstown on Saturday, acting Commissioner of Police, Trevor “Buju” Bailey announced that 95 kilogrammes of cocaine were seized in the Grenadines.
He said police have not laid any charges, noting that investigators must gather sufficient evidence before bringing a case to court.
Bailey said three people had been taken into custody to assist with the investigation after the cocaine was found, but police had not arrested or charged them.
“I cannot take someone before the court on mere suspicion,” Bailey said. “I have to have evidence, hard evidence.”
The commissioner did not provide further details about the seizure or the individuals questioned but emphasised that the cocaine would not be allowed to reach the public.
The Canouan case was raised during a briefing focused largely on police efforts to respond to gun violence, including the killing of four people in Green Hill Friday night.
Police said they were increasing patrols and searches and continuing operations to recover illegal firearms and ammunition.
Bailey said police had seized an AR-15 rifle and more than 40 rounds of ammunition in Kingstown earlier in September.
Damon Mason, a 41-year-old machine operator of Ottley Hall, has been granted EC$20,000 bail in connection with an AR-15 rifle and 19 rounds of 5.56 mm, which police allege that he had in his possession in Kingstown on Sept. 10, without the requisite licence.
Bailey also mentioned a separate incident about two weeks earlier, in which officers on patrol searched an individual, found a firearm and arrested and charged that person for firearm and ammunition offences.
Meanwhile, Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Brenton Smith said at the same press conference that mobile and foot patrols in Kingstown and surrounding areas would continue, alongside random searches and increased intelligence sharing between police units.
He said the operations are intended both to find illegal weapons and to deter people from carrying them.
Smith said police operations targeting violent crime and illegal firearms would continue and, where necessary, be intensified.
The nation’s crime-fighting chief urged residents to share information with police, saying even details that appear insignificant could assist an investigation.
Smith also appealed to the public and media to avoid circulating unverified claims that could distress families or undermine active investigations.
Bailey said the country’s borders were vulnerable to the movement of firearms and that weapons were entering by air and sea.
He said the Coast Guard was patrolling territorial waters and police were working with regional agencies, including the Regional Security System, to combat trafficking. He also said additional resources had been allocated to checks on people entering the country through ports.
Asked about surveillance equipment at the airport and container port, Bailey declined to discuss the status of scanners or specific operational arrangements.
He said police had made arrests at the airport and port in cases involving cocaine, marijuana and other illegal substances.
The police have also received government-funded equipment to strengthen forensic work, Bailey said.
A comparative microscope is expected to allow investigators to examine and compare firearm-related evidence locally rather than sending it overseas.
He said regional experts were expected to assist the police force for 12 months.