No illicit cargo found on Intercepted Gulfstream aircraft on Canouan

A Gulfstream jet that was recently intercepted and searched on Canouan displayed similarities to one that had previously flown to St Vincent, triggering security measures. The N674JM Gulfstream private jet landed on Canouan on November 25, 2024.

Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, along with Josette Greaves, Chief Executive Office of the Argyle International Airport, spoke about the matter on the Sunday, December 1, 2024 edition of the WEFM Issue at hand programme.

The Prime Minister said they received intelligence about the plane travelling from the Dominican Republic to Argyle. However, this came as an error, and when they discovered that it was heading to Canouan, security forces were mobilised.

“The intelligence suggested that it may be something that we may need to look at carefully. The police acted accordingly- the Commissioner gave the requisite instructions,” Gonsalves explained.

He said the plane was searched but mentioned that some compartments may have been overlooked due to the absence of K-9 units for a thorough investigation. Onboard the aircraft were two or three individuals who had booked reservations at SOHO House in Canouan. When the programme’s co-host, Joel Providence asked if the passengers had stayed for one night, Gonsalves nodded in agreement.

He indicated that while there was a potential for a transfer, there is currently no solid confirmation available.

“Nothing came off, and nothing went on,” he said, adding that the plane did not depart the same day, as regulations prohibit any departures After a certain time, and that it was always under security surveillance.

Gonsalves said he was speaking on reports he received from the Acting Commissioner of Police, Enville Williams, and the Director of Airports, Andrea Bess. SEARCHLIGHT had gotten word of the aircraft, and on Wednesday, November 27, sought to verify the information with the authorities. Our reporter was advised that the Director of Airports was not at liberty to discuss nor disclose anything to the media; instead, he was advised to contact the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Sustainable Development and Culture, to speak with its Minister, Carlos James- who also could not be reached. Last week, reports surfaced that members of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF), had intercepted a private Gulfstream jet after it deviated from its original fight plan and landed in Canouan one day after it was scheduled. On Monday, November 25, 2024 police were said to have searched the aircraft- model N674JM and questioned the passengers onboard, who declared that they were going on vacation.

According to FlightAware, the aircraft owned by Tower Capital Aircraft Holdings LLC, registered in San Antonio, Texas as of June 5, 2024, took only one travel route for the year on Friday, August 30, where it was first seen near Cozumel Mexico, then arrived at the Cozumel International Airport in Mexico after 24 minutes of flying.

Almost one year ago a Gulfstream private jet with registration number N337LR disappeared after leaving Canouan on December 22, 2023, at around 2:37 p.m, with the pilot and three passengers on board. An alert was made when the plane failed to return at its scheduled time of 4:27 p.m.  N337LR later appeared in Venezuela, and subsequently,in Ghana, Africa.