分类： crime

A joint drug operation conducted by Police and Customs officers resulted in the seizure of a quantity of cannabis at the General Post Office.

On Monday, 7 July, a search was conducted at the main postal facility and a brown cardboard box was found to contain three (3) vacuum-sealed packages with the controlled drug cannabis.

The box and its contents were seized and transported to Police Headquarters for further investigation. The substance was later weighed and amounted to approximately three (3) pounds, with an estimated street value of $18,000. Investigations into the matter are ongoing.

The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda remains committed to working with other partner agencies to disrupt the illegal drug trade and safeguard the wellbeing of our communities.

Six masked men robbed a group of teenagers at gunpoint near the Cashew Hill playing field, according to a report filed with the CID by Jacqueline Quezada. Her 16-year-old son, Joel Toussaint, was among the victims.

Dressed in black and armed with handguns, the men confronted the group and ordered Toussaint off his bicycle. He surrendered two bikes—one blue 24-frame valued at $800 ECC and another black-and-blue 20-frame worth $1,000 ECC. The suspects then fled north.

Police responded swiftly but have yet to make any arrests.

Police have launched an investigation following a late-night robbery in Villa, where a man was held at gunpoint by three masked assailants.

The incident occurred around 12:10am on Bay Street. The victim, Tequan Whyte, reported to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) that he was walking along the road when he was approached from behind by the armed men, who demanded his possessions.

The robbers reportedly made off with two silver chains worth EC$650, EC$200 in cash, and a blue mobile phone, the value of which is still being determined.

Police responded swiftly to the report, conducting interviews with residents in the area. Several witnesses are said to have provided useful information.

The suspects are believed to have fled the scene in a silver Toyota Belta bearing registration number A2264, last seen heading east. Despite an extensive search, authorities were unable to locate the vehicle or the perpetrators.

The investigation remains active as police continue to pursue leads.

A rig owned by Maulvin’s Trucking was stolen from the company’s premises, with surveillance footage showing the theft on June 22nd. Staff only noticed the loss last week, prompting Maulvin Jr. to review footage and file a police report. Valued at over US$21,750, the loss has significantly impacted the business, which operates trucking, water delivery, and fuel services. Police are investigating, with a suspect currently off-island.

Authorities are investigating a security breach at His Majesty’s Prison after a man was seen scaling the outer fence near TN Kirnon Primary School around 5 a.m. on July 3.

The unidentified individual escaped after breaching the perimeter. In a swift response, police patrols searched the area and recovered a blue shopping bag containing a red jacket and pantsuit, two plastic bags of suspected cannabis, additional packaging materials, and a sales receipt.

The items were handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department for analysis. The incident has raised concerns about prison security and possible smuggling attempts.

The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is urged to contact the police.

CABINET NOTES: The Minister for Health, the Hon. Sir Molwyn Joseph informed Cabinet of a deeply concerning incident involving the soon-to-be-opened pharmacy at the Villa Polyclinic, which was recently broken into and completely looted.

The theft has resulted in a delay in the launch of pharmacy services, which were intended to serve residents of the Point, Villa, and surrounding communities with much-needed access to medications and healthcare support.

In response, the Cabinet has issued a directive mandating the immediate installation and enhancement of modern surveillance systems at all government and public facilities to safeguard public infrastructure and assets.

Priority buildings for security upgrades include:

• Health clinics
• Government offices
• Public schools
• Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre

Facilities already equipped with surveillance systems will undergo assessments to determine whether upgrades or expansions are necessary to meet current security standards.

This decisive action reflects the Government’s commitment to protecting public resources and ensuring that essential services are delivered to communities without disruption or compromise.

A 24-year-old man has been remanded to prison in Antigua and Barbuda in connection with the death of a young woman from Guyana. Victor Ince of Lightfoot West appeared before Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel on Wednesday to answer charges of unlawful confinement and killing in the death of 19-year-old Joyleen Abraham.

The incident took place on 7 May in the Judges Estate area. Police say Abraham was ejected from a moving vehicle driven by Ince and was found with multiple injuries. She was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 6:30pm.

Abraham had reportedly arrived on the island just days before her death. Ince is expected to return to court on 17 September.

Police have arrested and jointly charged 30-year-old Ernesto Estevan Lawrence of Swetes Village and 18-year-old Maurice Belgrave Jr. of All Saints in connection with a robbery at the All Saints Service Station.

Both men were charged with Aggravated Robbery. Lawrence was further charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Discharging a Firearm.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred on Saturday, 28 June 2025, in which an armed assailant entered the All Saints Service Station and robbed the pump attendants of an undisclosed sum of money. A single gunshot was discharged during the robbery; however, no injuries were reported.

Subsequent investigations by the police led to the arrest of the two suspects, who were later charged accordingly.

They are expected to appear before the court to answer to the charges.

The police continue to urge members of the public with information that can assist in ongoing investigations to contact the Criminal Investigations Department at 462-3913 or Crimestoppers at 800-TIPS (8477).

Police have arrested and jointly charged three males in connection with a robbery at Brownie’s Bakery in Herbert’s on Sunday, 29 June 2025.

Ernesto Lawrence, age 30, of Swetes Village, along with 18-year-old Maurice Belgrave, and a 16-year-old both of All Saints were charged with Aggravated Robbery, Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of an Offence, and Unlawful Possession of Twelve (12) Rounds of .32 Ammunition.

Shortly after the incident, the accused were intercepted in a vehicle on Jonas Road and were arrested and taken into custody. They are expected to appear before the court today.

The Police Administration wishes to thank the general public for their continued support and urge anyone with information related to this or other criminal activity to contact the Criminal Investigations Department at 462-3913 or Crimestoppers at 800-TIPS (8477).

**SOUCRE: ANTIGUA OBSERVER** – Yorks Village businesswoman has become the latest victim of a robbery by armed men.

Reports are that two **masked gunmen** entered the R&G Knight Superette about 3:21pm on June 30 and robbed the establishment of a sum of money.

Further reports are that a customer was inside the business during the robbery.

Allegations are that the armed masked men parked a white Toyota Noah van next to the business place, then entered the superette and removed money from the cash pan and a box containing coins.

They then ran back to the vehicle and drove off heading south.

A search for the perpetrators was unsuccessful.