Six Guyanese men, who were found aboard a cargo boat laden with weapons and drugs in St. Lucia’s waters in 2011, returned home in February after admitting to the offence and serving prison sentences.
Nonetheless, the mother of one of the men is still insisting that her son was innocent of any wrongdoing and says that while she is thankful that he is back home, it hurts to know that the owner of the boat will never be held accountable for the pain and suffering the crew and their families endured.
On October 4, 2011, Carlton Rushel Sam, Hardatt Sookram, Tandu Satesh Ramkissoon, Selwyn St Clair France, Narine Cheecharran, and Noel Persaud, who was the captain, appeared in the First District Court in Castries on multiple charges. They were charged with possession of controlled drugs, to wit, cocaine; possession of controlled drugs, to wit, cannabis; possession with intent to supply cocaine; possession with intent to supply cannabis; importation of cocaine; importation of cannabis; possession of one 12-gauge shotgun; possession of 15 rounds of 12-gauge ammunition; possession of 35 rounds of 9mm firearm; and possession of 5 live grenades.
