Basseterre, St. Kitts, January 19, 2018, (RSCNPF): Customs and Police Officers carried out a search of a package marked “Prestige Trucking Services” at the Head Office of Her Majesty’s Customs and Excise Department at Bird Rock.

As a result, twelve (12) packages with a vegetable material suspected to be cannabis were found inside a water heater that was enclosed in the package. The incident occurred at about 11:05 a.m. on Wednesday, January 17, 2018.

Two persons, including the individual who was present to clear the package, are in police custody assisting with investigations. The twelve (12) packages have a combined estimated weight of 8,337 grams.

“Operations such as these account for the increase in the number of drug cases seen in the 2017 statistics. The more vigilant we are, the more drug interdictions we are able to carry out. The result, of course, are more drug offences being recorded as we continue to charge the offenders,” Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Terrence James said.

ACP James is responsible for Operations. He commended the Customs and Excise Department and the Police officers for acting quickly in the matter.

“As part of our Strategic Plan we have been, and will continue to be, collaborating with our partner agencies as part of our crime fighting strategy,” ACP James said.

By: Spokesman Newsroom

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Wednesday 17th January, 2018)- The Federation today (Wednesday) has recorded a homicide for the new year after a male teenager was killed following a shooting incident on the sister island of Nevis.

Dead is 19-year-old Cleon Browne.

As gathered, he was originally from Rawlins Pasture, Newcastle, but resided at Rawlins Village, Gingerland.

Police say that at about 11:55 AM, the Gingerland Police Station received a report of a shooting incident.

Upon arrival at the scene, officers found Browne along the roadside in Rawlins Village with what appeared to be gunshot wounds to the body.

He was transported to the Alexandra Hospital and was pronounced dead upon arrival.

The scene was processed by the Crime Scene Technician and a number of spent shells were taken into police custody.

The local authorities have expressed that police is committed to continuing to reduce crime in the Federation and solving crime when they occur. However, in order to be successful, as much information as possible is needed to assist with arresting and charging perpetrators of crime.

Any person with information regarding this incident are urged to call the Violent Crime Unit at the Cotton Ground Police Station at 469-5269, the Gingerland Police Station at 469-3448, the nearest Police Station or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 (TIPS).

By: Spokesman Newsroom

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Wednesday 17th January, 2018) – A young Kittitian man, considered armed and dangerous, is currently being looked for by police.

Reportedly, a warrant is in existence for his arrest for the armed robbery committed in sandy point on Christmas Eve of last year (December 26, 2017).

Today (Wednesday), a wanted poster was issued in hopes of tracking down the whereabouts of Vincent Taylor who is believed to be about 30 years old.

His is known by three nicknames- Shungy, Bungo and lyah and his address is given as being either McKnight or Sandy Point.

Taylor’s complexion is dark, his hair isblack and not well kept and his eyes are dark brown.

Additionally, he is 5’10” in height and weighs 160 pounds with a medium built.

Anyone who sees Taylor or knows of his whereabouts is asked to contact the sandy point police station at (869) 465-6261, the nearest police station or crime stoppers at 1-800-8477 (tips) where your information will be held confidential and you may be eligible for a reward.

Wanted Poster – VINCENT TAYLOR

By: Spokesman Newsroom

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (TUESDAY 16^TH JANUARY, 2018)– Police have revealed the cause of death in relation to Cayon resident 29-year-old Torday ‘Smallie’ Burroughs who was pulled out of the sea water following an incident at Carambola Beach Club at the South East Peninsula earlier this month.

Reportedly, an autopsy was performed by resident Pathologist, Dr. Adrian Nunez on Tuesday 9^th January which confirmed that the cause of death was asphyxia due to drowning.

The information was shared via a press release issued on Saturday 13^th January.

As indicated by this media house in an earlier report, the deceased was an identical twin and his surviving twin brother is known as ‘Biggie’.

In regard to the fatal incident, on the afternoon of Thursday 4^th January, police responded to report of a drowning at Friars Bay.

Reports indicated that Torday Burroughs of Cayon was at Carambola with friends where he later went into the water. Reports also indicated that after a while he was not seen and when his friends went looking for him they noticed that he was floating on the water.  They pulled him out.

The Emergency Medical Service was called and Burroughs was transported to the JNF Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

By: Precious Mills

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (JANUARY 2018) – Information about a motor vehicles amendment Act that has being circulated via social media and passed off as relating to St.Kitts-Nevis is not true.

The details of the piece though factual, however, does not apply to the Federation but rather to Trinidad and Tobago.

On the local scene, some residents and citizens quickly dismissed the strange information that contained lump sum monetary penalties as well as imprisonment timeframes for traffic offenses while others who believed what they read criticised the stiffness of the rules and regulations.

“1. Obstructing a traffic warden on duty or failing to comply with his/her directions can attract a $10,000 fine and/or six months in prison (fine raised from $300). This is not limited to motorists” read part of the article.

An online search for the contents of the circulated information showed the original article posted by a media house in Trinidad and Tobago called Loop (www.looptt.com) with the headline ‘10 things to know about the Motor Vehicles Amendment Act’, dated 9^th June 2017.

That article, complemented with photos in the educational piece included a photograph of a police officer using a radar gun which is used to calculate driving speed of motorists.

“4. Violating the speed limit has a maximum fine of $3, 000 and varies based on how far over the speed limit a motorist travels. It is a fixed penalty fine and motorists can accumulate a maximum of 6 demerits” was used with that particular picture.

When contacted, a source from the Traffic Department said there was no concerns expressed from members of the public about the circulated information.

“To be honest when I heard it, I did not take it on because I know it was no way for St.Kitts-Nevis. I know that for anything like that to happen, it would have had to go through the House (of Assembly),” he/she said.

No official information was sent out from the Police Public Relations Department to officially refute the information. However, a source from that Department said the information was seen and that it was learnt that such applied elsewhere in the Caribbean region.

By: Precious Mills

BASSETERRRE, St.Kitts (Tuesday 16^th January, 2018)– Retired Police Commissioner 70-year-old Robert W. Jeffers is dead.

That was the breaking news that rocked the Federation on Sunday this week (14^th January), leaving an outpour of grief from many who respected him for the level of professionalism and expertise he exhibited, particularly as an investigator and fingerprint specialist, during his tenure a top cop in the Federation of St.Kitts and Nevis for over four decades.

This media house understands that Jeffers passed away from natural causes due to an illness.

Yesterday (Monday), Police Commissioner Ian Queeley issued a statement mourning the death of his past senior colleague whilst praising the contributions he would have made for over the years, and even on a personal level with regard to his own career advancement in the policing field.

“It is with deep regret that we have learned of the passing of retired Commissioner of Police, Robert W. Jeffers. Mr. Jeffers would have served as a Police Officer in the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force for almost forty-two (42) years. In essence, this meant that he dedicated most of his adult life to “Serving and Protecting” the people of our beautiful Federation. He had superb investigative skills and was a fingerprint specialist. So naturally, this accounted for the length of time he spent in the Criminal Investigations Department. He moved up the ranks and eventually reached the pinnacle when he secured the post of Commissioner during the period 2005 – 2008,” Queeley stated.

The COP described Jeffers as one who was knowledgeable

Robert Jeffers was a very candid man. He spoke his mind and told you what there was to tell you in the best of ways. But, more importantly, what he said to you was geared towards your development in the organisation. Mr. Jeffers was also a very gifted Police Officer. He was very knowledgeable and, in particular, he was literally considered as the “guru” in the area of Evidence and Procedure. He understood, in-depth, the regulations and the laws.

He added: “Even after he retired, Mr. Jeffers continued to contribute to the police force and showed his support by attending events where possible. He gave back much to the force. He was a visiting lecturer; he taught recruits at the Police Training Complex in the areas of Evidence and Procedure and assisted officers with preparation for their Promotion Exams. He also submitted questions for those exams and, as recently as last year, he assisted with the marking of exam papers. He never stopped serving and contributing to the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force and he would have done well with regards to devoting his time and his skills to the organisation. For that, I want to thank him for his service to the force, and to the country.”

Queeley also expressed gratitude for the role Jeffers played in his professional life.

“On a personal note, I can say that it is because of his advice that I am where I am today and I thank him immensely. I know that he was very proud of my achievements in the organization because he said it to me several times.”

“On behalf of the High Command, I extend condolences to the family and friends of the late Robert W. Jeffers. He will be missed sadly.  May his soul rest in eternal peace!” he concluded.

By: Drizel Hanley

BASSETERE, St.Kitts (JANUARY, 2018)-Public debate stemming from Small Axe Band winning the 2017/2018 Road March title, is being quashed by the band itself in defending its victory labelled “a well-deserved win.”

Following the staging of Sugar Mas 46, the Small Axe Band, the self-acclaimed ‘Sweetest Band in the world’, was adjudged winners of the coveted Road March title with the “Puppy Song”, scoring 34 points.

This started a wave of comments whereby some individuals including non-supporters of the band have expressed their displeasure in the results.

On the flip side, fans of Small Axe Band and others alike agree with the judges’ decision thus complementing the band’s emotions about its success.

A band member interviewed by this media house this week said that the inspiration from the song came from a Facebook video that went viral with two local men “fooling around” and freestyling the chorus of the “Puppy Song”.

The member noted that the band’s song is well -crafted and that there is much meaning in the lyrics.

“Firstly the song begins by saying, ‘we taking back the band of the year’ which is just simply saying that the Small Axe Band came to take back the road march title that was rightfully ours”, he said.

Notably, the Grand Masters Band prevented that band’s five-peat victory after capturing the 2016/2017 Road March title with the “Wuk U Shift” tune.

“How you drop de puppy man” is just like our fans asking us how we lost the road march title back in 2016/2017 and we responded by saying “it slip out me hand,” the band member explained.

“So here you see the song is not of a literal nature,” he added.

He ended by thanking the fans for their unwavering support throughout the journey of the band while promising fans an even greater 2018.

The Road March competition is usually judged over two days- J’ouvert and Grand Parade.

Over the past weekend, Saturday 6^th January, Small Axe held its victory jam along the eastern portion of bypass road along the F T Williams Highway.

In other Sugar Mas 46 judged street activities news, Ultra Carnival troupe won almost all of the segments this time around.

For J’ouvert held on Tuesday 26^th December 2017 resulted in: 1st – Egyptian Devils: Red Devils (147 points), 2nd – Colortopia: Mas Jumbies (116 points), 3rd – Xtreme Colour & Paint: Xtreme Jouvert (110 points) and 4th – Most Wanted: Grand Masters (96 points).

For the grand parade held on Monday 1^st January saw the following positions: 1st – Ultra Carnival: A Wanderer’s Dream (890) points, 2nd – Fhunn Vybes: Nature’s Fury: (783 points) and 3rd: Solid SKB: The Tropics (678.5 points).

The Largest Troupe was also won by Ultra Carnival: A Wanderer’s Dream as well as Most Punctual Troupe (a repeat win).

Additionally, Ultra Carnival copped King of the Bands: Viva Mexico: Kajali Hanley-Gumbs Dream (835 points) and also Queen of the Bands: Queen Poinciana: Welcome To St. Kitts – Iantavian Queeley (850.5 points)

Fhunn Teenz won the category for First Trope To Release.

There was no announcement of other positions for the Road March title which too has caused public debate.

Sugar Mas 46 officially climaxed on Tuesday 2^nd January with the Las Lap activity which saw the return of the various parade troupes, band and other sound systems jamming through the streets of Basseterre.

The Junior Carnival parade was held on Saturday 30^th December 2017.