DPP: Contraband found at escapee’s apartment the largest in BVI history
The ‘plethora of contraband’ reportedly found at a Ballast Bay apartment this week is the most that has ever have been seized in the history of the territory, according to Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Tiffany Scatliffe-Esprit.
While the DPP did not publicise the nature or quantity of the contraband in open court, she said the apartment in which the items were found was housing the recently recaptured prison escapee, Jose Almestica.
The court was told that Almestica was staying in the apartment rented for him by Jennifer Smith’s family. Smith, who according to Scatliffe-Esprit is one of Almestica’s many girlfriends, was charged with harbouring an escaped prisoner.
Almestica appeared before the Magistrate’s Court for the charge of escaping lawful custody between September 6 and 10, 2017.
Allegations
The court was told that on December 7, 2021, police officers were tending to a different matter when they saw Almestica at a business place in West End.
The court was informed that police officers recognised Almestica and knew he was wanted for escaping custody. He was arrested after resisting.
The DPP said police officers found an illegal firearm on Almestica which they are still investigating.
The court was informed the police officers went with Almestica to the Ballast Bay apartment where he was staying. While at the apartment, the DPP said Smith was reversing into the residence of Almestica.
She was approached by police officers and she led them to a rock on a dirt patch where she showed the police the key to the apartment. That is when, according to the DPP, police found the contraband. The court was told two other persons were taken into custody regarding the findings and investigators are hoping to capture another 10 in relation to the incident.
Whereabouts allegedly known for years
The prosecution alleged that Smith knew the whereabouts of Almestica for the four years he was on the run and helped to hide him from the authorities despite being aware of his wanted status. The DPP told the court Smith may be charged with more serious offences in relation to the raid once the investigation is concluded.
The prosecution also said Almestica is under investigation for the raid along with other crimes committed in the territory.
No bail application was made on behalf of Almestica as he was convicted of another offence back in October and he will be remanded while he awaits sentencing. The accused also appeared from his jail cell as the court was told he tried to escape custody while in lock up.
Almestica was represented by Ruthilia Maximea and he faces up to seven years if found guilty of escaping custody. The matter was adjourned for February 2, 2022, for a process known as paper committal.
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Thing to talk 10 more might get arrested well look how Christmas going to look for some enjoy your freedom while it free tic tok.
I am very curious as to what was found in that place for it to be the largest in BVI history. Imagine the $h¡+storm he was creating while on the outside SMH
Well ,look how God on Jaspert side.
Evidence have repeatedly convinced me.
There is no Santa Claus.
There is a God.
The everlasting Gift giver.
The Gift of Truth and its revelations are the VI’s Holiday gift for 2021.
Much needed. Much appreciated. Right on time.
This is troubling smh that Smith family member may ruin her self?
Let’s get somebody *** in to prosecute this case!
Plethora
Atleast he going in by he boss
After reading this story, three things jump out @ me “(1)Two others were taken in to custody (2) Ten more is in consideration (3)Largest contraband found in the BVI”. Will this make headline in England.?
Them girl don’t want good men nowadays. Jail ko* got them going crazy.
stay out of trouble it appears. Some other escapee would have laid low, but this one looks like they were quite busy with other illicit activities.
As for the girlfriend (one of many?) and those other 10 involved with him, well..they all made their beds, they are going to have to lay in them.
Morals of the story:
1. You can run but you cannot hide forever.
2. Associate yourself with criminals, you may eventually become one yourself.
The fact that he was so bold as an escapee to be out and about living his life like he was free among those in West End speaks volumes about some in that community.
I am sure people knew he had escaped prison for the past 4 years, seen him about, and yet kept their mouths shut.
How can this community rid itself of criminals when it shield them? Shameful.
Premier resides in that neighborhood and with 24 hour security guard to protect him from dangerous prison escapees and others.
How did they not recognize this one and only loose danger in 4 years…we chupid?
…the dominoes are falling!
Sure enough that family member who rented the apartment to him should be charged as well.
He is a wanted man in the USVI. Google him. He is a heavy weight in all things criminal. Imagine someone like this menace outside, undetected and living within our community? NO GOOD!
Ten more, she said!
TEN MORE…ON THEIR TOES!
Well ,look how God on Jaspert side.
Evidence have repeatedly convinced me.
There is no Santa Claus.
There is a God.
The everlasting Gift giver.
The Gift of Truth and its revelations are the VI’s Holiday gift for 2021.
Much needed. Much appreciated. Right on time.
Can that be the only word for this? It is that or corruption….both probably.
The Police & … ‘find’ this guy who escaped less than a mile from the police station 4 years after he ‘escaped’ (after he was let out of his cell by guards due to the storm).
Then the girlfriend flip on him and show the police the key to the apartment ‘hidden’ under a rock (never get an island girl angry, it is worse than the rath of god).
THEN they find ‘more contraband than has ever been found’
This is beyond embarrassing. Yet, just another day in the BVI.
The entire … process needs to be thrown out and replaced by a first world system. If we keep allowing this to be ‘normal’ the scooter boy going to be running this place in a couple of years!
Set he up because he had to much girlfriends
Lot of women with that face? Those women desperate meyboi