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.
