Five Vincentians Deported After Illegal Entry

Details

police

Wednesday, 27 February 2013 02:30

By press release

Antigua St. John's - A joint operation conducted by the Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy (ONDCP) and the Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force Coast Guard resulted in five Vincentian nationals being detained at Johnson’s Point for entering Antigua & Barbuda illegally. They arrived onboard a 30 ft vessel on February 7.

Randell Stephens, one of the five detainees, was charged for possession of 26 g of cannabis. In addition, an Antiguan-registered 25 ft vessel with drums of petrol onboard, believed to be connected, was also detained but later released.

On Monday in the St John’s Magistrate’s Court, Stephens pleaded guilty and was fined $1,000 forthwith, or in default one year in prison. The substance was ordered destroyed and the defendant deported as soon as the fine is paid.

The other four Vincentians - Allison Blugh (captain of the vessel), Ezekiel Robin, Phillon Joseph, and Adolphus Lawrence also appeared before the chief magistrate as a result of charges filed by the Immigration Department for illegal entry. They all pleaded guilty and were ordered to be removed from the state immediately. The vessel on which the defendants arrived is being held by the Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force Coast Guard.

The magistrate was then informed that the Customs Department also had an interest in the matter, and the defendants were taken before the Comptroller of Customs and fined $15,000, payable immediately.

The director of the ONDCP welcomed this outcome, and congratulated the police force on their recent drug interdiction success.

A release said, “It is important that our collective efforts continue to make the environment less conducive for illegal narcotics to be readily available to our youths.”

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