Man Denied Bail On Firearm Possession Charge

Jean Paul Grandu was arrested and charged for the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition following a November 9th special police operation. This exercise was conducted within the northern and central policing divisions. A November 13th police statement explained that Grandu’s arrest was made in Gros-Islet where officers had cause to search Jean Paul Grandu of Bisee, Castries. This search resulted in the discovery and seizure of one (1) Glock 19 pistol and eighteen (18) rounds of 9mm ammunition. Grandu filed a bail application which was denied by the Magistrate of the First District Court and he was remanded into custody at the Bordelais Correctional Facility. This bail denial comes amid public expressions of dissatisfaction with arrested persons being granted bail for firearm offences. While the police have clarified that bail is determined by the Courts, citizens are still fearful of arrested persons repeatedly offending after being granted bail. A police press conference on Tuesday November 12th confirmed that the majority of this year’s crime offences were concentrated in the north of the island. According to Acting Police Sergeant 372 Robinson, the Central Division recorded the majority of serious crime, accounting for 59% of the total incidents. The Northern...