Concern over courier smuggling rises
Acting Commissioner of Customs Clinton Romney has raised fresh concerns about drugs, firearms and large sums of cash being smuggled into the territory through courier services and ports of entry.
Romney told ZBVI Radio that Customs officers recently intercepted drugs and firearm parts hidden in packages arriving through courier companies at the Terrance B Lettsome International Airport and the Road Town Customs Station.
“So, what we have been seeing over the past two months, coming back to late September, at Beef Island airport, our officers were making their inspections there. They discovered a package that contained plant matter, which we discovered to be cannabis, somewhere in the region of $5,000 in value,” Romney explained.
He added that the shipment, sent from the United States through a courier and BVI Post, was not actually intended for the territory. “It was a great detection and it is something, a trend that we’re seeing that we want to curb,” Romney stated.
The Acting Commissioner also revealed that officers later discovered firearm components shipped through another courier company. “They discovered what appeared to be a gun slide. So it was a firearm, apparently it was taken down, and part of that firearm was shipped in a package. Description definitely was not what was inside the box, and the serial number had been obliterated,” Romney said.
He noted that the Department of Customs is working closely with the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, the National Security Council and other agencies to improve detection, including through the installation of scanners at various entry points.
Romney also disclosed a separate incident at the West End port, where officers found more than $80,000 concealed in a package from a man arriving from the US Virgin Islands. “What was concerning was the method of concealment… it was concerning how that person tried to evade Customs,” Romney stated.
The individual was arrested with assistance from the police, and the funds are now the subject of court proceedings. “We are waiting to find out the final outcome with the court matter. We would have partnered with the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force and then, in conjunction or collaboration with the DPP, to ensure we get the charges correct,” Romney said.
The Acting Commissioner underscored the department’s commitment to safeguarding the Virgin Islands’ borders and preventing the misuse of courier services for illegal activities
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the real question is why the legislation taking years to pass the bill to legalize and stop criminalizing a plant that heals. set of fools prefer death than wealth
Where there is a will there is a way
If ayo legalize marijuana nobody wont have to smuggle it in
Ntn new
“Business men” been doing
Some individuals do it too
Andre fahie case mentioned it with the Syrians
We had incidents in the past where people brought in types of weed
Been going on
But politicians focus is fight UK
While 13 year olds get unlimited access to guns ,weed, rum , scooters with no licence etc
The Arabs and other business people, according to well known reports from the USA, are maiin functiionaries in the smuggling in and out of the country of money, guns, parts and drugs.
They know the culprits, but they are all bought and sold. The crookedness run from to low.
Remember the verÿ act done was he visit oof a high official was a visit to an Arab store.
But nothing will ever be exposed here.
Local couriers, international couriers een used to bring in probibited items for decades. So.e hears ago two men were shotup in Johnso ‘s ghut. The tools arrived via courier days prior.
CHUPPPS…This is routine ..see but dont see with allyo and the crime and criminals,.sooo,now the bs…Wonder why…
why are we always behind, legalize mari juana please, it will boost our tourism
Yes security at our borders are necessary but seriously he talking about not even half a pound of marijuana that is legal throughout the world while we here azzbackward? This is the big alarming find? Time for this guy to retire and allow fresh energy and ideas into this aging and archaic department.
Common sense,puritanism, and crooked mone hunr men and women rule he da,not the law or fear of it as, from the tip top down, all are being paid, making huge assets on investments, while scaping a ouh for a leaf.
Best way to smuggle stuff in is look like a tourist on a pricey water taxi. Dont have to get off boat, luggage doesn’t get looked at, just a wink wink and off you go!!