On 3 March 2017 at about 5:00pm the St Kitts Nevis Defence Force Coast Guard received a call from the Police that Mr. Michael Samuel, captain and Mr. Alex Samuel crew, both of Conaree Village, St. Kitts, evaded the police in FV PROGRESS from Conaree area and headed out to sea. The Coast Guard was able to retrieve pertinent details on FV Progress while simultaneously dispatching Coast Guard Vessel (CGV) Oualie in search of the fishing vessel. FV PROGRESS a 22ft long vessel blue and white in color with registration number V4-495-BE was intercepted in position Lat. 17 13.02N Long. 062 39.75W about 550ft off Horse Shoe Point on St. Kitts with two persons on board as earlier reported by the police. CGV Oualie escorted FV PROGRESS to Coast Guard Base, Basseterre where a detailed search of the fishing vessel was conducted and nothing suspected to be illegal was found. Nevertheless, the police had earlier confiscated one hundred (100) pounds of vegetable substance that appears to be marijuana earlier from FV PROGRESS when subsequently the vessel and its occupants evaded the police. The two individuals on board were Mr. Michael Samuel and Mr. Alex Samuel, they were detained and as soon as practicable handed over to the police for due investigation. The FV PROGRESS remains in SKNDFCG custody pending police directives on the matter.
The St Kitts Nevis Defence Force reiterates its commitment to take the fight to criminals anywhere anytime in effort to make our country safer. We remain resolute in our mandate to professionalism, accountability, commitment to duty and support of the local law enforcement. We urge members of the communities to cooperate with the security forces in their relentless effort to curb crime in the Federation.
