Local News
Préfecture security review: one homicide in first half of 2026, drug checks up
The Préfecture reported one homicide in Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy in the first half of 2026, against six a year earlier, and more drug checks, while offences against people and property returned to 2024 levels.
By SXM Daily ·
Reported 26 October 2026
Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy recorded one homicide in the first half of 2026, against six in the same period of 2025, according to the Préfecture de Saint-Barthélemy et Saint-Martin's review of the fight against insecurity. The figures cover both territories together.
Drugs and patrols
According to the Préfecture:
- 36 checks of drug-dealing points, against 26 in the first half of 2025
- 309 drug-use offences recorded, up 56%
- 21,700 hours of gendarme patrols, up 4%, a quarter of them at night
- operations started by the forces themselves up 32%
Removals
The Préfecture says 64% of OQTF orders to leave French territory were carried out, and 36% more were issued. It also reports three times as many cases of helping people stay illegally.
Offences back at 2024 levels
Offences against people and against property rose compared with what the Préfecture calls a very good first half of 2025, returning to 2024 levels.
Saint-Martin only
Outre-mer La 1ère, reporting on the review on August 1, gave figures for Saint-Martin alone: 22 suspects in armed robberies arrested and three road deaths.
Sources
- https://www.saint-barth-saint-martin.gouv.fr/Actualites/Bilan-de-la-lutte-contre-l-insecurite-au-premier-semestre-2026
- https://la1ere.franceinfo.fr/guadeloupe/insecurite-a-saint-martin-et-a-saint-barthelemy-homicides-en-forte-baisse-mais-les-atteintes-aux-biens-et-aux-personnes-repartent-a-la-hausse-1724710.html