A 21-year-old work permit holder was arrested for possession of ganja and suspicion of consumption Wednesday as local authorities continued their crackdown on illegal activity on Seven Mile Beach.
The RCIPS arrested the man during a joint operation with the Public Lands Inspectorate (PLI) and partner agencies Customs and Border Control (CBC) and the Department of Commerce and Investment (DCI) on Wednesday 31 Jan.
The operation commenced around 10am and was aimed at identifying any illegal activity, including drug use, at Seven Mile Public Beach as well as making vendor checks.
Thirty-four out of more than 120 applicants were granted permits to sell goods or services at Seven Mile Public Beach Park.
Those without permits are not allowed to operate in the area and face fines should they breach the rules.
This was the case for the 21-year-old man, who was also ticketed by DCI for offenses under the Trade and Business Licensing Act (2021 Revision) in addition to the drug offences.
The issue of managing vending activity on the beach has been a long standing one.
With the introduction of the permits, it is expected that some level of order will be brought to the high traffic area enjoyed by locals and tourists.
However, some vendors have questioned the selection process used for the award of permits, saying it is impacting their ability to earn a livelihood.
The permitted vendors, on the other hand, face strict new restrictions detailed in the Seven Mile Public Beach Park Vendor Policy which limit how, when and where they can work.
Those who did not make the cut for the limited spaces, or did not apply, have been issued cease and desist letters to leave the site within 30 days – before 14 Feb.
In a statement Friday on the joint operation, police said in addition to the drug and licensing offences, a quantity of alcoholic beverages were seized by the Public Lands Inspectorate.
The beverages, the statement said, belonged to other vendors who were operating illegally and fled the scene.
The RCIPS said it will continue working with partner agencies to rid the public beaches of illegal activity.
As the authorities seek to address the Seven Mile Beach situation, government has said it will consider applications from beach vendors to operate on Bodden Town’s Coe Wood Beach, but says it intends to keep all other public beaches free of commercial activity.
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