Four foreigners on human trafficking charges in St Lucia

CASTRIES, St Lucia (CMC) – Four men, including three from India will re-appear in court on March 11 on charges of human trafficking in St Lucia.

Police said that the four men, including a national from Bangladesh, were arrested and charged last weekend in connection with an alleged scam that brought more than 20 young people to St Lucia from Nepal and the Philippines.

The group claimed that they had responded to an offer of education in hospitality, cruise and business management, from Lambirds Academy which is based in northern town of Gros Islet.

The Asians said they each paid $US9, 000 each for the courses and $US13,000 each to get to St Lucia, but on arrival here were told by law enforcement authorities that they had been duped.

Most of the group members are now stranded here and are being assisted by sympathetic St Lucians, and the Roman Catholic Pastoral Center.

The four men have been remanded into custody.