On Sunday, April 21st, 2024, about 1:30 p.m. Officers attached to the Crime Suppression Team, conducted a search of a suspicious male in West Hall Group, Vieux Fort. Shane Charles, a twenty (20) year old resident of the same address, was found in possession of a 9mm Taurus Pistol containing five (5) live rounds of ammunition.
“He was arrested and subsequently charged in relation to the discovery. He was escorted before the Second district Court, where he was granted bail in the sum of thirty-three thousand dollars ($33,000.00). The matter was adjourned to May 21, 2024, for further case management,” a police statement read.
The Northern Division and the Special Services Unit (SSU) conducted a joint operation, about 8:40 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024, in Over the Bridge, Dennery. The operation included patrols and the execution of Warrants to Search for Property.
“During the execution of a search warrant, Officers recovered one (1) Glock Pistol with an auto sear, two (2) extended magazines and eighteen (18) .40mm rounds of ammunition. A thirty-three (33) )-year-old male and a twenty-four (24) year-old male were arrested within the dwelling. They remain in police custody pending charging,” the police explained.
On Saturday, April 6th, 2024, about 5:30 p.m. Officers attached to the Micoud Police station executed a Warrant to Search for Property, upon a residence at Galvanize City, Jn Baptiste Hill, Micoud. During the search, officers recovered a twelve-gauge shotgun.
“Officers arrested and subsequently charged Dillan Octalien alias Ears, a twenty-nine (29) year old resident of Jn Baptiste Hill, Castries, and Verna Clercin, a forty-two (42) year old resident of Jn Baptiste Hill, Micoud, formerly of Malgretoute, Micoud. Dillan Octalien received bail in the sum of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000.00) and Verna Clercin, in the sum of thirteen thousand dollars ($13,000.00).”
Superintendent of Police Stephen Victorin, Officer with responsibility for the Northern Division (in the absence of Assistant Commissioner of Police, Elvis Thomas, who is currently out of state on police training), commended the officers for their efforts.
He stated, “Despite the duration of the operation, officers remained committed to the goal of recovering lethal weapons, unlawfully in possession of individuals, who pose a danger to the general public.”
He said that given the capacity of the weapon, with the accessories seized by officers, many lives could have been lost in a single encounter. He indicated that incidents like the violence that occurred during the Dennery Carnival in July of 2023, evidence of the impact of such dangerous weapons, should never recur and such seizures reduce the likelihood. He encouraged members of the public to continue working alongside the police to rid our island of illegal weapons, as their cooperation is not only critical, but success is nearly impossible without.