RSVGPF Drone Unit scores early success with two drug-related arrests 

By Val Matthias. Updated 2:50 p.m., Wednesday, October 21, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4). 

The Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) is reporting early success from its newly established drone unit, with the technology already contributing to two arrests in drug-related matters within its first month of operation.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Brenton Smith, who is responsible for crime, said the unit is providing operational officers with an improved view of activities on the ground, helping them determine where to deploy and how to respond to situations.

Speaking to SVGTV News, Smith expressed satisfaction with the unit’s performance and the training of its officers, describing the initiative as an important addition to the police force’s crime-fighting strategy.

The unit’s early results signal a new phase in the use of technology to support law enforcement in St Vincent and the Grenadines, particularly in surveillance and the coordination of police operations.

Smith said the drones are also effective at night, allowing officers to conduct patrols and observe activities in conditions where visibility can be challenging.

He explained that the aerial perspective helps operational teams develop a clearer understanding of what is happening at a location before deciding how to proceed.

Although the police chief did not disclose specific operational details, he indicated that the unit would be strengthened through additional training and recruitment of personnel.

The unit currently has 12 members, six of whom are actively conducting patrols and assisting operational teams, according to Smith.

Two officers are expected to undertake further training with the Regional Security System (RSS) in November. Smith also disclosed that discussions have been held with the Commissioner of Police in Grenada, who indicated a willingness to assist with additional training.

The RSVGPF is also looking to expand collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Rural Transformation, which has its own drone capability.

That partnership is expected to support efforts to combat praedial larceny, the theft of agricultural produce, livestock and other farm property, which continues to be a concern for farmers.

The development of the unit comes amid wider support from international partners for the use of drone technology in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

According to information provided by the RSVGPF, the two drones currently being used by the police in its crime-fighting operations were supplied by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). 

Separately, the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines reported in October 2025 that the Republic of China (Taiwan) had donated four drones to the RSVGPF.

The handover was made by Taiwan’s Ambassador, Fiona Fan, during the country’s 114th anniversary of independence celebrations at the Methodist Church Hall on October 7, 2025.

The government announcement said the four drones were intended to support search-and-rescue operations, crowd monitoring and other police activities. Assistant Superintendent of Police then, Olsen Rodney, who was responsible for telecommunications, said the equipment was particularly timely given incidents in which people had become lost in areas such as La Soufrière.

The four Taiwanese-donated drones and the two CDB-provided drones are separate donations reported for different operational purposes. The available official information does not establish that they are the same equipment or that all six are assigned to the newly established crime-fighting unit.

For the RSVGPF, the immediate priority is to build on the drone unit’s early results by training more personnel and expanding its operational capacity.

Smith’s account of the two drug-related arrests provides an initial indication of the unit’s contribution, although the police have not disclosed enough information to assess its overall effectiveness or the full circumstances surrounding those cases.

As the unit develops, its impact will depend on sustained training, effective coordination with officers on the ground and the appropriate use of surveillance technology.

The initiative represents a further step in the police force’s efforts to modernise its operations and make greater use of available technology in protecting communities across St Vincent and the Grenadines.

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About the Author: This story was written and submitted by freelance journalist Mr. Val Matthias, a trained communicator with more than two decades in the media sector. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communication (UWI Mona), a Master of Science in Tourism and Hospitality Management (UWI Cave Hill), a Certificate in Digital Marketing, and has years of broadcast journalism experience rising to ranks of a programme manager. All supporting materials for this story have been presented, vetted, and verified. Mr Matthias can be reached at [email protected]