“The evidence collected by the investigators was probative and as a result, Palmerston Celestin was also charged with recounts of kidnapping, one count of robbery and one count of conspiracy to commit robbery,” disclosed ASP in Charge of the Criminal Investigations Department, Annantha Wilson in an address on January 28th 2025.
On Wednesday, 22nd January 2025, RSLPF personnel conducted a joint exercise in Sans Souci, Castries. This resulted in the execution of a warrant to search property at the residence of 47-year-old Palmerston Celestin, a person of interest in the August 28th 2024 bank heist at Choc, Castries.
According to ASP Wilson, during the execution of this search warrant, officers recovered a quantity of controlled drugs, namely cannabis and cocaine. Consequently, the Criminal Investigations Department in Castries initiated an investigation into these recoveries, leading to Palmerston Celestin being charged with the following offences: “Two counts of possession of controlled drugs and two counts of possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply,” she said.
Investigators continued to explore additional lines of inquiry and followed up on all leads relating to this incident.
“Whilst the investigations into these drug-related matters were being conducted, personnel from the Special Investigations Unit were actively pursuing leads regarding Palmerston’s involvement in the robbery on 28th August 2024 at Choc, Castries.”
Palmerston Celestin was taken before the Magistrate’s Court, where he made an application for bail on the matters for which he was charged. In relation to the drug offences, he was granted bail in the sum of XCD $12,000. Following this, the additional charges were brought against him in relation to the robbery where he was remanded into custody.
On 1st October 2024, officers arrested the first two men who were responsible for the bank heist.
Joel Phulgence was arrested and charged with three counts of kidnapping, one count of conspiracy to commit robbery, and one count of robbery. Cornel St. Louis was also arrested and charged with three counts of kidnapping and one count of conspiracy to commit robbery. Joel Phulgence was remanded into custody by the court while Cornel St. Louis was granted bail.
