Police confirm Good Friday arrest and subsequent bail of individual

As a result of social outrage generated by a report of a Good Friday arrest at the Bus and Ferry Terminal small business woman, because she was in noncompliance with an alcohol law, the Police have issued a statement.

The statement confirms the arrest of one Susie Liburd for non-compliance with the Liquor License Act and her subsequent bail.

“The Liquor Licence Act, in Chapter 18.21, section 23, states that “all premises with respect to which a licence is issued under the provision of this Act for the sale of liquor by retail shall be closed on Good Friday and Christmas Day from 9 a.m. until 7 a.m. the following morning,” the Police statement reads.

“On Good Friday, April 19, 2019, Officers on patrol in the Basseterre area observed a number of bars operating at the Ferry Terminal. In accordance with the Act, the Officers asked the operators of those bars to close. All complied with the exception of one operator who refused. As a result, the individual was arrested, charged and subsequently bailed for offences under the Act,” the statement adds.

The Police High Command defended the action of its officer saying, “as a law enforcement body, the Police are charged with ensuring that persons and establishments comply with the laws of the land. There is absolutely no intention on the part of the Police to create confrontation. However, the Police have a duty to uphold the laws of the land and will continue to do so.”

There have been arguments that other business places in popular liming areas throughout the island were also non-compliant and management of these enterprises were not pressed by authorities.