SLC PRIME MINISTER PIERRE , DEPUTY PM ERNEST HILAIRE, LAWYER THADDEUS ANTOINE, AND THE ENTIRE SAINT LUCIA CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT PROGRAM ARE IN BUSINESS WITH EASTERN EUROPEAN MAFIA

Customs agents seizing Bemax smuggled contraband in Europe

The arrest of a prominent Eastern European businessman, together with five police officers, all of whom have been accused of multiple criminal offenses which were part of a major organized crime crew, have drawn attention to a construction corporation that is now a major player in Saint Lucia's Citizenship by Investment (CIP) program. ALEKSANDER MIJAJLOVIC, the principal of BEMAX, whose Saint Lucia activities are represented by embattled local attorney THADDEUS ANTOINE,  who is known to be a close associate of both Prime Minister PHILIP PIERRE, and his Deputy, ERNEST HILAIRE. Mijajlovic is reportedly the leader of a multi-billion Euro criminal organization involved in smuggling of contraband throughout Europe. 

A Special Prosecutor has been appointed in Montenegro, where the seizures and arrests took place, to bring charges against what European media refer to as the Grand Smuggling Group, including money laundering, and Creating a Criminal Organization. Mijajlovic posted bail and was released on April 24, 2024. EUROPOL is involved in the ongoing investigation, and more arrests are expected.

Mijajlovic; released. Posted €1.2m bond

BEMAX CARIBBEAN, INC., and BEMAX LLC, which are involved in a major CIP real estate project in Saint Lucia, in which Deputy Prime Minister ERNEST HILAIRE has a keen interest, is owned by Mijajlovic, who transferred ten million Euros of his assets after his recent arrest in Montenegro. The Saint Lucia law firm of attorney Antoine, who has been handling all BEMAX legal matters in Saint Lucia, formed the company, applied for and obtained CIP approval and is overseeing all aspects of its operations in Saint Lucia.

 The Bemax project at ROCK HALL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT, is an approved infrastructure project, and is licensed by the Citizenship by Investment Unit. The project is is located in PM Pierre's constituency. DPM Hilaire is said to have been closely involved in the approval process of Bemax, which was approved by the Board of the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIP).

Apart from the mystery as to how one becomes an approved Infrastructure project developer, as I have published before, that no regulations or guidelines exist to indicate how one goes about doing that, is the glaring question as to how the Board of the CIU could approve a developer who is currently facing serious criminal charges.

      

Remember, that it was only on 12th September, 2024 that the Government of Saint Lucia proceeded to Gazette the approval of two independent Infrastructure projects, namely Galaxy and Bemax Rock Hall Housing Development Project. Bemax was Gazetted after the arrest and charge of Mijajlovic, a fact which was publicly known.

Even more concerning is the fact that the CIU's inept attempt to "clarify" the curious Gazette publication, stated that applications have been received under both Galaxy's and Bemax's Infrastructure projects, meaning that passports have been sold by Bemax even while its owner is under serious fraud, money laundering and criminal enterprise charges. The cliche' "birds of a feather flock together" comes to mind. 

One wonders how on earth it was that the Bank of Saint Lucia was able to clear funds from Mijajlovac's criminal enterprise or him, given Hilaire's and CIU's assertion that the Infrastructure developers must up front the money. Given the ongoing RICO lawsuit wherein Mr. Martinez has sounded the warning that the Bank is soon to be named as a defendant, it is unimaginable that the bank would run that risk, unless all is lost at the board level and compliance is nothing but an empty buzzword at the bank.

Reliable sources have advised that diplomats from the United States and the United Kingdom have been briefed on the situation and the fact that the Eastern European Mafia is now operating openly in Saint Lucia, after being approved by the CIP. Given the clear and present danger, INTERPOL now urgently needs to launch an investigation, as we have no confidence that the courts in Saint Lucia, which are either controlled or under threat by the government, will take any action. Additionally, the reported personal involvement of DPM Hilaire means that no internal investigation will be undertaken, notwithstanding the threat to Saint Lucia's national security, as Hilaire has the portfolio for CIP.  How can such a gangster as Mijajlovic be approved by the CIP of Saint Lucia? The fact that such a criminal organization as Bemax is now a CIP-approved developer shows that CIP in Saint Lucia is now officially out of control. One wonders what Minister Frederick's thoughts are on the matter, given that his portfolio is that of Housing. By his own utterances on political platforms, he is indeed very familiar with, and approves. Again, birds of a feather.