SVG Coast Guard seizes Trinidadian vessel with cocaine, ammunition on board

A police operation conducted by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Coast Guard led to the seizure of drugs and ammunition as well as the arrest of four Trinidadian men.

On October 14, the SVG Coast Guard Service (SVGCGS) intercepted a 29-foot pirogue west of Canouan with Kerry Keller, a 26-year-old Labourer; Joel Medina, a 31-year-old Fisherman; Dion Harry, a 22-year-old Fisherman and Andre Lee, a 45-year-old Fisherman on board.

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The men were arrested on suspicion and taken to the Coast Guard Base in Calliaqua along with the vessel where a comprehensive search was conducted by Coast Guard and Narcotics Officers. The search led to the discovery of 330 grams of cocaine, 49 rounds of 7.62 ammunition, and 20 rounds of 5.56 ammunition.

Ammunition seized by the SVG Coast Guard

The four men were jointly charged with possession, trafficking and attempted importation of a controlled substance within the territorial waters of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, possession of 69 rounds of prohibited ammunition without the authorization of the minister and possession of ammunition without a license issued under the Firearms Act.

The defendants appeared at the Serious Offences Court on Monday, October 17,  to answer the charges. Harry pleaded guilty to all charges while the other three accused pleaded not guilty. They were all remanded into custody at His Majesty’s Prison pending a review.