BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – TWO men aboard a fishing vessel were on Friday (Feb. 3) apprehended by members of the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force’s Coast Guard in the Caribbean Sea and handed over to the police after they had earlier evaded arrest.
According to Captain Kayode Sutton, the Defence Force’s Public Affairs Officer, the two men are Michael Samuel and Alex Samuel, both of Conaree Village.
Sutton informed this publication that at approximately 5:00 p.m. on the day in question, the Coast Guard received a call from police that the two men had evaded them after some 100 pounds of vegetable material that appeared to be marijuana was found aboard a vessel of which Michael was the captain and Alex the lone crew member.
“The police said that the 22-foot blue and white fishing vessel, FV PROGRESS, with registration number V-4495-BE, had evaded them and was headed out to sea. At that time, some members of the Coast Guard were out at sea training aboard CGV Oualie and they immediately responded to the call.
“Members of the Coast Guard intercepted the fishing vessel in the vicinity of Nags Head in the Caribbean Sea. It was escorted to the Coast Guard Base in Basseterre, where a detailed search was conducted but nothing illegal was found aboard,” Sutton said.
He also said that the two men were detained and subsequently handed over to the police, while the fishing vessel remains in custody at the Coast Guard Base pending police directives on the matter.
Captain Sutton declared that in keeping with its mandate, the Defence Force would continue in its efforts to make the Federation a safer place to live, to conduct business and to embrace tourists and other visitors.
“The St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force reiterates its commitment to take the fight to criminals anywhere, anytime in an effort to make our country safer. We remain resolute in our mandate to professionalism, accountability, commitment to duty and support of the local law enforcement. We therefore urge members of the communities to cooperate with the Security Forces in their relentless effort to curb crime in the Federation.”
UPDATE
A police release issued this afternoon (Mar. 6) stated that the two men and the fishing vessel were released.
It however indicated that three persons are currently in custody and that they are alleged to have been the individuals who retrieved the marijuana after it was delivered on a beach in Conaree.
