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Contact:
Rose Marie Harris
Thursday, June 23, 2005 - Prime Minister Honourable Dr. Kenny Anthony and
Minister for External Affairs Senator the Honourable Petrus Compton have
summoned Venezuelan Ambassador to Saint Lucia, Mrs. Carmen Aponte, to discuss
the involvement of Venezuelan citizens in the trafficking of drugs to Saint
Lucia.
Currently there are fourteen Venezuelans in detention waiting trial in Saint
Lucia. They were arrested by Saint Lucia’s Marine Police following interception
of their pirogues in Saint Lucian waters in what was suspected to be trips to
land drugs in Saint Lucia for onwards transmission to Europe and elsewhere.
The pirogues are normally equipped with four powerful outboard engines each and
can hold up to seven persons.
Prime Minister Anthony said “the issue is very serious as such drug shipments to
Saint Lucia place a severe burden on the island’s security forces.”
Dr. Anthony continued, “indeed, among those arrested are some who have
previously been arrested and charged for the same offences on previous
occasions.”
The Prime Minister believes that Venezuela has to do more to intercept drug
dealers from its maritime waters and to work more closely with security
personnel in Saint Lucia and the OECS.
According to the Prime Minister “the time has come to review the situation
overall, including the agreement to allow Venezuelan citizens to visit Saint Lucia
without visas.”
The current situation, says the Prime Minister, “is unacceptable and must be
addressed in a resolute manner.”
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