Eyebrows are being raised and questions asked regarding the whereabouts of Grenadian national Alister Haynes, who was remanded at His Majesty’s Prisons in connection with a massive cocaine seizure aboard a yacht intercepted in North Leeward.
Haynes was charged jointly with Venezuelan national Frank Garcia for offenses committed on April 20, 2026, at Calliaqua. Both men face charges of possessing 434,268 grammes (957.375 pounds) of cocaine for the purpose of drug trafficking, attempting to import the cocaine, and possessing the drugs with intent to supply to another.
Uncertainty surrounding Haynes emerged on Monday, September 21, 2026, when Garcia reappeared before the Serious Offences Court. Haynes was nowhere to be seen, and his name was not mentioned when the matter was called.
During that time, neither Haynes’ defense counsel, Vincentian lawyer Grant Connell, nor Garcia’s attorney, Grenadian lawyer Richie Maitland, was present in court, prompting the matter to be stood down.
When the case was called at the preliminary inquiry stage, prosecutor Sergeant Shamrock Pierre stated that the matter was set for paper committal, adding that he was unsure of counsel Maitland’s location. Shortly after, the St. Vincent Times learned that Haynes had been sent back to his homeland of Grenada.
The joint drug charges stem from an operation in early April 2026, when Garcia and Haynes were arrested at Cumberland after their yacht allegedly experienced mechanical problems. The vessel was escorted by authorities to Calliaqua, where the Coast Guard base is located. A subsequent search of the yacht uncovered containers and packages containing 434,268 grammes of cocaine.
In addition to the indictable drug charges to which neither man was required to plead during their initial appearance before the Serious Offences Court, both defendants were charged separately with immigration violations. These included:
- Entering St. Vincent and the Grenadines at a place other than an official port of entry.
- Entering the country without the consent of immigration authorities.
- Entering St. Vincent and the Grenadines without a passport.
Upon being read the immigration charges, Frank Garcia pleaded guilty to the breaches, whereas Alister Haynes pleaded not guilty.
