March 24th 2023

Senior member of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force cautioned individuals who visit adult entertainment venues here that they could be contributing to human trafficking.

by SNN

Wayne Charlery Deputy Police Commissioner was addressing the launch here of a Department Of Home Affairs human trafficking campaign.

Charlery said “Saint Lucia, due to its unique geographical positioning between Martinique and South America, has become a transshipment point of choice for human, narcotics and firearm traffickers,” 

He said that 'on December 30th, 2022, the Major Crimes Unit executed search warrants at various locations, discovering four human trafficking victims.'

On January 16th, 2023,  the adult entertainment establishment owner was arrested and charged for five counts of trafficking in persons.

''The court granted him $100,000 bail cash or suitable surety or land documents, ordered him to remain 100 yards away from the victims and their families, and not to leave the state without permission.'' He said.

The court postponed the matter to April 21st, 2023.

He stated that ''there are many adult entertainment centres locally.''

“And most of the persons who are there providing what we call adult entertainment are very well being trafficked,” Charlery added.

He also said that ''if you have visited any of these locations and have had a drink at this place, you may very well have contributed to human trafficking at the cost of a beer, which is seven dollars,” 

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