Accused cocaine traffickers denied bail! Faces up 10 years if convicted
The two men accused of illegal possession with intent to supply more than 400 kilograms of cocaine were denied bail when they appeared before the Magistrate’s Court earlier today.
Pedro Samuel Sr, 58, of Diamond Estate and Reno Alphonso, 27, of Fort Hill were both charged with possession of a controlled drug and possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply.
Alphonso — the alleged boat captain — was also charged with failure to comply with orders given by the police.
In consideration of the bail application made by both attorneys representing the accused, Magistrate Christilyn Benjamin said she had to consider all variables in the matter. She noted that while both men were Virgin Islanders and had their roots in the territory, the severity of the offence and the likelihood of conviction with the accompanying sentence could result in the men absconding if granted bail.
“To give a bail offer and to make the consideration so strenuous that a defendant cannot make a bail offer is just as good as making no bail offer at all. So, taking all of my options into consideration. When I consider this particular case that has been presented before the court, I am of the opinion that there are no conditions that this court can put in place to amount to a reasonable bail offer for these defendants,” Benjamin said.
“Because, to my mind, the circumstances and allegations resented to the court are very compelling and I am of the view that there is a real risk that these defendants will abscond and the issue with absconding is that we never know when someone will abscond until they actual do. And as such, in my opinion, it is too late… Coupled with the concern for community protection, I cannot find any conditions to satisfy these concerns. So, it is on these circumstances bail is denied,” the Magistrate added.
Benjamin advised both Samuel Sr and Alphonso that they can take their bail application to the High Court if they so desire. Both defendants are jointly represented by Nelson Samuel and Stephen Daniels.
Allegations
The prosecution alleged that on August 13, 2022, both Samuel Sr and Alphonso were intercepted in the vicinity of Cooper Island and a subsequent search of their vessel resulted in the seizure of 419.46 kilos of brick-like substance suspected to be cocaine. The estimated street value is $41,946,000.
The court was informed that the Marine Unit of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) was on sea patrol on the southern side of Virgin Gorda when officers noticed a vessel travelling quickly in a westerly direction. The prosecution claimed the officers followed the vessel through the Ginger Island and Cooper Island channel where the vessel was observed to be a white speedboat and had two occupants.
The court was further informed that the officers gave chase. And when in close proximity to the vessel in question, the law enforcers illuminated their emergency light and gave an order for the vessel’s operators to stop. However, the court heard that Alphonso – who was reportedly observed to be the boat captain – and Samuel Sr, the first mate, tried to outrun the police. The chase continued until the vessel was intercepted.
The prosecution alleged that the two accused told officers they had just returned from fishing, and they had nothing illegal in the boat. The police indicated they would conduct a search and 14 canvas bags containing brick-like substances suspected to be cocaine were allegedly found at the bow of the vessel. A further search of the stern reportedly revealed another package of the same substance. Both defendants were cautioned and arrested.
Possible sentence
According to the prosecution, the offences for which they are charged carry maximum financial penalty of $100,000 or three times the amount of the street value of the drugs – whichever is greater. Additionally, the men may face a prison sentence of no more than 10 years but no less than three years. In some instances, the law allows for both a fine and a prison sentence.
The prosecution also indicated that while Samuel Sr has no prior run-ins with the law, Alphonso was charged with illegal possession of a controlled substance in 2019 to which he pleaded guilty. He was fined $4,500.
Both defendants will return to court on October 12.
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2 years and they are out.. just how our justice system works. Lol
exactly the reason they keep doing these things, they get the minimum sentence and come back out to their money. minimum should now be 30 years.
These criminals will continue with their criminal activities because of these kangaroo court system. Let them find someone with weed and they’ll drop the hammer on you, but get caught with cocaine or a gun and it’s usually a slap on the wrist …..MAKE IT MAKE SENSE
No. They cannot be VIslanders. If they are they are being victimised by the white colonialists who do not understand the culture of the VI. Nooo not real actual VIsland criminals. It is not us. Check out Balo all the VIslanders there are not criminals just victims. When we going to face the truth?
Seems like readers did not understand that you were being satirical and facetious.
LOL.
“And as such, in my opinion, it is too late… Coupled with the concern for community protection, I cannot find any conditions to satisfy these concerns. So, it is on these circumstances bail is denied,” the Magistrate added.
Now tell me the system is not broken. All the reasons why the Officers should have been locked up too.
Is this judge serious, since the Officer who swore to uphold the law was the same ones walking amongst us today after such a large haul of drugs in their possession.
well, I guess the community is safe with the drug pusher officers.
Head high Pedro. we got you and love you forever
You can love Pedro, yes, but don’t expect to see him free for many years. These guys deserve every year in Balsam Ghut they get. Their actions and those of all drug runners and money launderers are killing the good name of this country.
AMEN TO THAT!!
Yup belonger get out of jail pass
One thing we can be happy about is that drug dealers are really really dumb. Fat Albert boasts about his rodeos and is too dumb to understand that it is very unlikely that the Sinaloa cartel is going to ship cocaine all the way out to BVI when they have a thousand mile border with the USA and lots of tunnels.
And these two bozos go speeding about in a white boat attracting the attention of the police. Instead of going slowly looking like tourists.
But then maybe they thought only the customs were out so they would have nothing to worry about.
It’s a good thing to keep down drug operations but u ever try study the rich people that doing drugs an wont ever get caught,the same guys in black and white suits u look up to.
You made a very good point. Its a place that rewards the wicked which is why I too cannot understand how come the inquiry did not recommend that the police force be investigated and why was a Government that was made from the two parties that really messed up this country and been led by a yes man who agreed with everything the former premier did was put in place.
Fat boy is really really an a** SMFH
They are fortunate that its the BVI authorities hold them, where they have a chance of facing a much lighter sentence than that of the US. They can be back on the street within another eight (8) years having serve their sentence, just saying?
And ppl getting changed and criminal record for a dime bag of weed.