Montserrat: Royal Police Service arrests three persons for entering area of Long Ground

Montserrat: On 1st October 2022, Officers from the Royal Montserrat Police Service, Marine Unit, were on mobile patrol when they spotted three men in the area of Long Ground. The men were subsequently identified as Philemon Murrain of St Johns, George Farrell of Drummonds and Justin Ryan of Look Out. The officers made enquiries, and it was revealed that they were there without permission; as a result, all three men were arrested.

On 6th October 2022, Philemon Murrain of St Johns, George Farrell of Drummonds and Justin Ryan of Look Out appeared before the Magistrate on a charge of being found in the exclusion zone without permission. The offence occurred on 1st October 2022. Ryan was further charged with being in possession of cannabis Sativa. All three men plead guilty to their respective charges.

Being found in the Exclusion Zone carries a penalty of $2000- or 6-month imprisonment. The magistrate sentenced all three to a fine of $200, suspended for six months.

Possession of cannabis Sativa carries a penalty of $100,000 or a term of imprisonment for three years. Magistrate sentenced Ryan to a fine of $600. Entry into the Exclusion Zone is prohibited unless one seeks authorization to do so.