Pubdate: Sat, 14 Mar 1998 Source: Miami Herald (FL) Author: Guy Ellis Associated Press Contact: http://www.herald.com/ ST. LUCIA PREMIER BLAMES VIOLENCE ON DRUG RUNNERS CASTRIES, St. Lucia -- ``A small group of vicious and dangerous criminals'' is responsible for a recent spate of shootings that threaten the peace of this small Caribbean nation, the prime minister said Friday. In a television and radio address, Prime Minister Kenny Anthony said the drug traffickers were fighting among themselves and spreading fear among the public with their violence. Anthony vowed that police would crack down. On March 4, a man long reputed to be a local druglord was gunned down in public. Other shootings have followed that incident, including an exchange of gunfire between police and a carload of armed men in the town of Gros Islet 10 miles (16 kilometers) north of the capital. In another confrontation, police disarmed two men who were carrying automatic weapons and wearing bullet-proof vests in public. Such violence has not been common on this scenic island of 150,000 people, and Anthony noted that the drug-related clashes have made many people fearful. He announced new measures to combat the crime, including the addition of 100 new police officers and the purchase of new vehicles. He also said the country's bail laws would be reviewed with the aim of making it more difficult for persons charged with illegal firearm offenses to be released on bail. ``Recent events have sent the chilling message that as long as these drug criminals remain free within our community, we will always be exposed to these kinds of crime,'' said Anthony. Copyright © 1998 The Miami Herald