The Minister for National Security said the help of the IOM is necessary given the novelty of the issue to the country, and the gravity of its consequences.

Minister for Home Affairs and National Security, Sen. Hon. Philip La Corbiniere has confirmed that Saint Lucia has sought assistance from the United Nations In­ternational Organization of Migration (IOM), to address a suspected case of human trafficking.

The minister said the help of the IOM is necessary given the novelty of the issue to the country, and the gravity of its consequences.

The current case involves the Lambirds Academy at Gros Islet, and has resulted in the arrest of four Asian nationals, following the discovery of a number of Nepalese and Filipino nationals who were unable to return home after paying huge sums to pursue promises of education and work in Saint Lucia.

The academy’s principal has also been charged for money laundering.