A former employee of the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA) has been handed a suspended sentence after being found guilty of his involvement in a customs fraud scheme involving the unlawful release of a luxury vehicle.
Faustus Alfred, who worked at SLASPA for eight years, was convicted for his role in facilitating the release of a Lexus SUV without the necessary customs duties being paid. The case, which dates back to late 2016, revealed significant breaches in port protocol and internal controls.
The prosecution, led by Corporal Degazon and Inspector Etienne, presented compelling evidence showing Alfred’s direct involvement in the fraudulent release of the vehicle. A customs officer testified that, although the Lexus had been imported through official channels, no customs entry for the car existed in the system. Investigations confirmed that the vehicle arrived at the port on December 7, 2016, and was released a month later—despite no record of duty payment and with over $1,000 in unpaid port rent.
Further scrutiny pointed to Thomson Louis, a known vehicle importer, as the individual who brought the Lexus into the country. However, the booking document used to release the vehicle bore the name of Alfred, not Louis.
Alfred, who was never authorised to release vehicles, reportedly generated a fraudulent Goods Inspection Report (GIR) to bypass customs protocols. According to the prosecution, Alfred’s familiarity with SLASPA’s systems and use of internal documentation made his involvement deliberate and premeditated.
Notably, Alfred chose to represent himself during the court proceedings and opted to remain silent throughout the trial, offering no defence against the charges.
In delivering her judgment, Magistrate Michelle Lewis found Alfred guilty of aiding and abetting as well as engaging in fraudulent conduct under customs regulations. While he was reprimanded and discharged on the aiding and abetting charge, the court imposed a six-month prison sentence for the customs offence. The sentence was suspended for one year, meaning Alfred will avoid jail time unless he commits another offence within the next 12 months.
This case highlights ongoing concerns about internal fraud risks within Saint Lucia’s port authority system and underscores the importance of vigilance and transparency in the nation’s customs operations.