During ‘Operation Clean Street’ in the month of October, a St. Lucian national, Merkyle Cooper, was arrested in Dominica and charged simply with possession of cannabis, though it turned out that he was wanted by the St. Lucia authorities for serious criminal offences.
According to information from the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF), at the time of arrest, he was fined $1,100, which he paid immediately.
The police reported that during the course of the investigation, Cooper’s wanted status in St Lucia was discovered, and he was immediately taken into custody pending repatriation.
“On Thursday, 22nd January 2026, Cooper was successfully repatriated and handed over to the St. Lucia Police Force to face justice,” the CDPF reported. “ This operation was made possible through the continued efforts and cooperation of the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force and regional law-enforcement partners, demonstrating a strong commitment to regional security and justice.”
The CDPF also sent a strongly-worded warning to all criminal elements that Dominica is “not a hiding place.”
“Anyone who commits crimes in other countries and believes they can come here to hide or evade justice will be tracked, arrested, and returned to face the law,” the police warned. “ There is no safe haven for criminals in Dominica.”
Cooper’s exact charges were not revealed by officials.
unfortunately he couldn’t afford expensive lawyers like Choksi.
He was not kidnapped
Great job again CDPF. Let us commend the police when they do well. Chastising them when they do what is expected of them under law is NOT going to help the situation.
Wow! Nice, Bwa-Banday! I never knew that you were capable of such a positive and encouraging comment for a state institution. You do realise that the CDPF is a public institution of the Commonwealth of Dominica, a state that is led by Skerrit and his team of DLP Ministers, right? *wink wink
YES Putin I do! Left to the cabal the CDPF would be a failed, corrupt and worthless entity. Finally they got a Chief doing science based policing and he means well. He is no cleless Carbon or worthless Valarie. I know the man but also know he made mistakes. When he does well I will give him his flowers and he does BS I will chastize him accordingly. But the Cabal under Chichi has failed us and has to go like yesterday. The government has FAILED sir
you should show gratitude to the police doing a great job and taking one of these criminals off our streets. Do not talk if you don’t have anything positive to say in this situation
Isnt possesion of marijuana decriminalized?
depends on the quantity.