By the Observer Staff
(St. Kitts-Nevis) – The Royal St. Kitts-Nevis Police Force continued stop-and-search operations over the last week. Although authorities did not issue as many tickets as the previous week, the dragnet appears to be in line with an earlier announcement by officials that these efforts would be ongoing.
According to police, “On Friday, March 7, police conducted routine patrol and stop and search operations in the Basseterre, Conaree, Keys and Cayon areas for control drugs, arms and ammunition. A total of 11 persons were stopped and searched along with one vehicle, but nothing illegal was found.
”Police also conducted stop and search operations in the Tabernacle area for controlled drugs, arms and ammunition and several young men from the area were stopped and searched. A quantity of marijuana was found in the possession of Kenrick Mills of Phillips Village. Both Kenrick and the drugs were taken into police custody and he was subsequently charged with possession of cannabis and possession of cannabis with intent to supply.”
This week, the operations were expanded to Nevis. “Police on Nevis conducted routine patrol and stop and search operations for traffic offences, control drugs, arms and ammunition. Several persons were stopped and searched but nothing illegal was found. The drivers of 10 vehicles that were stopped were asked to remove the tint from their vehicle windows. A total of 17 traffic tickets were issued for various traffic violations.”
On March 2, in a major operation, members of the Royal St. Christopher-Nevis Police Force and the St.Kitts-Nevis Defence Force conducted a joint stop-and-search operation around Basseterre, resulted in two arrests for cannabis possession; the issuance of 110 traffic tickets for offences ranging from driving with a defective number plate to driving an unlicensed vehicle; and searches of 100 vehicles and their occupants. Two unlicensed and uninsured vehicles were seized.
In addition to the traffic work, 36 pieces of crack cocaine with a street value of EC$900 were seized at an abandoned property in Ponds Pasture that was been used as a gambling house. The occupants at the time ran away upon entry of the Security Forces. No arrests were made.
