A few border breaches doesn’t define success of Customs officers
Premier Andrew Fahie has come to the defence of Customs officers, saying a few instances of border breaches does not define how successful they are.
The strength of the territory’s border security is often questioned, and residents have expressed concerns that local border security personnel are either undermanned or under-equipped to prevent smugglers from entering the BVI.
Despite the criticism, Premier Fahie has hailed the efforts of local law enforcement personnel; particularly Customs Officers.
“Some persons have tried or continue to define your performance by one or two instances where you may have come up just below the mark. But some totally ignore your successes which far outweigh the gaps. Law enforcement teams across various agencies deserve credit for keeping the borders of the Virgin Islands secure. Customs officers, you deserve the credit along with other members of the Joint Task Force,” Premier Fahie said.
Customs get new vessel
Fahie was speaking on March 5 at a dedication event for MV Searcher — the new vessel government secured for Customs.
He said the additional vessel will strengthen the work that Customs officers and the Joint Security Task Force are doing at sea.
Premier Fahie also said it was the local government that secured funding for the new vessel. Commissioner of Customs Wade Smith thanked the government and said MV Searcher will bolster the territory’s efforts at sea.
BVI’s marine capabilities second to none in region
With the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force’s recently acquired vessel, Midnight Express, Smith said: “The Virgin Islands law enforcement agencies’ marine capabilities are second to none in the region.”
“Combined, the replacement value of these assets can be in the vicinity of $2.5 to $3 million,” the Customs boss added.
In the meantime, six additional officers are also being added to Her Majesty’s Customs. Premier Fahie said the new recruits are going through the final approval processes with the government’s Human Resources department.
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And one day later another half ton of cocaine is found. Just another breach, wink wink , nod nod.
Second to none!
There were 50+ Go Fast boat over at Prickly Pear Sand Box Beach Bar. I guarantee that half of them could (and do) Out Run your over priced boats!
You got 2 boats. One that is broken down every other week. BVI Marine Police that can not even write a ticket for on-the-water infractions.
This is only an answer if you are a drug runner and want to get away with anything.
But there is the barge. Parked off Peter Island. So if you run round the back of St John, behind Norman, all the way up to VG and maybe round the North Sound up by Necker and run back to any bay on the North shore it isn’t going to see you with its little radar system. Or maybe that’s the idea.
US Coast Guard, just a stone’s throw away, has access to far better assets, as do, evidently the drug runners themselves, based on recent busts.
The Premier is saying it wrong. We aren’t blaming Customs, we are blaming the decision makers who are wasting money on easy passed ships instead of investing in a proper system of radar and cameras around the BVI that would be sustainable for a longer period of time with better results. However if the BVI did that it would actually cut down on the drug running and we don’t actually want that to happen do we?? The ‘cash money’goes a long way.
A few border breaches can kill all of us. . How convenient for you to find who you want and punished who you want..Why you. didnt say the same thing about a few quarantine breaches doesn’t define nusinesses or a person, yet you push for stiff punishment, be fair and been fair if hard for you to do, try to be consistent.