Non-locals engaged in smuggling will be deported, all offenders will be ‘vigorously sought after’
Premier Andrew Fahie
Since the territory’s spike in COVID-19 cases is linked to persons who have been smuggling themselves in and out of the BVI, non-locals found to be involved are being threatened with deportation.
This is according to Premier Andrew Fahie who said in an address on Tuesday his government will be taking a zero-tolerance approach to all guilty offenders.
He said: “Our residents and businesses must not be made to continue to suffer due to misconduct by a few persons out of greed and lack of respect for our Virgin Islands … Your Government will not allow the actions of a few individuals to endanger the welfare of the BVI and our economy.”
“Persons engaging in all or any illegal activities will be sought after vigorously and brought to justice. Those that need to be deported will be deported. The BVI will not be used as a hub for human smuggling to the USVI and also from the USVI to the BVI en route to their home country,” he added.
New task force to abruptly end smuggling
Premier Fahie also said a new task force will be established to “aggressively” halt smuggling in and out of the territory.
He did not specify whether the task force will be a separate component to the previously mentioned joint unit consisting of members from Her Majesty’s Customs, the Immigration Department and the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force.
However, he said the task force will be collaborating with the border security from the United States Virgin Islands.
“I say here again that our people and businesses should not be made to suffer for a few lawless people. BVI will not be a hub no more for these illegal activities. We are small in size and we cannot continue to allow this behaviour to continue,” Fahie stated.
Back to square one
The Premier further said his government had the economy back on the track to recovery but the actions of “lawless” persons has placed the territory almost back to square one.
The BVI went from having only a total of eight positive cases on May 28, to now 47 positive cases as of August 31.
Fahie said the increase in cases is because of residents “who have not been taking COVID-19 seriously and have not fully embraced the level of personal responsibility that is needed to reduce transmission of the virus.”
These include businesses and residents that have been failing to adhere to the COVID-19 protocols.
Of the positive cases, 38 remain active.
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Hi Andy Foi
You blame pretty much everyone but yourself. Yes, we are all in this together. And yes, we all have our parts to play.
But did your government not hand out curfew passes to all your friends and family even though they were not essential? Are we then supposed to adhere to your guidelines?
Did we not see you playing basketball with your government friends without social distancing? Did we not see you in JvD without social distancing and without 14 day quarantine after? Are we then supposed to adhere to your guidelines?
You yourself have been a horrible example since day one. So perhaps you should look at yourself first. Because that’s what we the people do. We do what you do, not what you say.
Leadership by example, look it up.
Everything is always in a non-local hands??? Locals been smuggling people in ever since now its covid19 it’s on non-locals.im so tired with your crap sir you have no plan no guidance.you turned the locals against expats..what else you gon do to cause division? I’m a local and its NONSENSE happening in the bvi lately. God is already dealing with us!!! ..next time instead of political stunts and backfire at the opposition all useless talk..try preparation, teamwork,unbias conversations to help us in some way in the bvi…
It is right to deal with anybody involved in smuggling.What will happen to locals who are involved in evil act, snuggling?
It is right to deal with anybody involved in smuggling.What will happen to locals who are involved in evil act, snuggling?I think all culprits should be dealt with equally whether local or non local.
@ styles. If you don’t have anything sensible to contribute why don’t you sit and be quiet. In a time like this who is really watching what the leader does?? The president of the great USA is an idiot so i should try to be an idiot to?? The premier has been trying and doing his best to help protect all of us and the whole world can see even the blind.you just don’t criticize for criticizing sake. Try and make your contribution meaningful. Chatting crap about we the people do what the premier do not what he said. Well i am not following anyone and do what they do and not my family either. But i realize that this news site is a platform to air ones dumbness and hatred for this government.
So you disrespect the USA but tell styles he a fool for disrespecting the premier….does not work like that. You cant tell people what to think and who to call a fool….so i suggest you sit down.
You disrespect the USA then say styles cant disrespect the premier. You sir are a fool. I dont like trump….but thats not the point. The point who you think you are to tell people what they can or cannot think. The premier is spending a million dollar in planting palms and saying he got no money to pay civil servants…..who really is the fool.
You disrespect the USA then say styles cant disrespect the premier. You sir are a fool. I dont like trump….but thats not the point. The point who you think you are to tell people what they can or cannot think. The premier is spending a million dollar in planting palms and saying he got no money to pay civil servants…..who really is the fool.
The majority agree with you Premier
It is high time these actions that the Premier said happens. The Territory needs it.
Yes deport them! And then give the Belonger guy a metal and a no-pay-back ‘loan’. Makes total sense to me…They captured $30 million in $20 bills coming East from PR. Some of that money was going in someones pockets here in the BVI. You have Cocaine running through here for the last 10 years….but I guess you just noticed this!? How all these local guys running around with new boats and always full of gas. It should not take Sherlock Holmes to figure this one out. It is usually the obvious that is the cause. Stop all the conspiracy crap. It is all right here in front of your eyes. Make the tough call and arrest you cousin…then deport their a**!
Reading and understanding is not most people’s strength. The Premier said all involved in these illegal activities will be brought to justice and those that are non-nationals will be deportes. What the h**l is wrong with that…Premier don’t mind them.
I applaud this Government for all they are doing. All around the world most Governments are trying to get a handle on Corona Virus. This Government ranks on the top with their efforts.
The Government is doing the best thing for sure. Let us all do our part to help.
this man is a very divisive leader….he’s beginning to sound a little like Donald….everything negative is non-local..non-local…non-local. Stupes…he is a bloody j**e
How was someone able to get into JVD with all the barges we now have on patrol? Are we paying them money for nothing? Something to think about!
We are good at talking tough with zero action. Ain’t s**t going happen. It will be more of the same.
@ Aaa that should have benn A**. The people of the USA regret the day they elected that uneducated man to be president. The premier of this island is a very smart intelligent man Donald Trump cannot walk in his shoes. And as a matter of fact most if not all Caribbean leaders are much brighter than Donald Trump ok.Educated people is what it takes to run countries now . The days for uneducated representation is long gone. Don’t all of us see that this country needs some sprucing up??when this country opens up to welcome visitors what do you Aaa want them to see. Did the premier say he don’t have money to pay salary?? Increment that many do not deserve thats what he was talking about. Did the premier of this country do anything to show him disrespect.. Donald Trump on the other hand shows his racist and stupidity every day for the world to see. He is the worst the world ever see. All who works for him saying how stupid he is. We watch this uneducated fool every day on television . Hope you are not trying to compare Donald Trump to our great leader mr Andrew fahie.
I would comment a lot but it would be a waste of time. Instead let me say you are a moron and/or smoke crack. Donald Trump is the greatest president in modern times. Ask any educated black man and he will agree. Fahie is just a field n*****.
Has any realised that you can’t reply to someone’s comments anymore on this blog? lol
On my way home today in my neighborhood:
1. Three different scooters with passengers and no mask wearing except for 1 passenger
2. Three men in close proximity facing each other speaking, 1 had a mask below his chin the others were not wearing masks
3. Lady standing by the driver side of a car (no mask on) talking to the driver
This was in the space of 2 minutes.
It’s everybody else fault but the same locals.
We all know there are many Donald Trump out there but i really didn’t know it have in the bvi.thanks for letting me know you is also a Donald. Lol
Almost everyone know that Donald is dumb when it comes to world affairs. Dumb in every aspect of running a country. Listen how he talk about people. The names he call them. Stop the sleeping and wake up. Most tactical leader this bvi would ever see in modern times.
@something wrong@something wrong
U STU….Pid?
nation will wait and see if this proclamation will finally apply those who are never targetted by law enforcement for anything, but are known to engage in the same activities as locals, people, drug and firearm smuggling, etc, the pink, exempt from law enforcement priviledge people.
Some truths are not liked when poined out, but pointing them out does not make them lies.
Hope these politicos could live with rules these rules they are putting in place.
Palm tree All about town waiting for VIP to get down jjjj. New songs coming up
We were told when the first lock down started that the borders would be patrolled 24/7 the borders had cracks from day one so the reason why we have all of these cases is because the job of patrolling the borders was lax
Hope these politicos could live with these rules they are putting in place.
Your Government will not allow the actions of a few individuals to endanger the welfare of the BVI and our economy.”
“Persons engaging in all or any illegal activities will be sought after vigorously and brought to justice.
Including that land at Inland Revenue?!?!? Asking for a friend…
And repeal all privileges given, e.g status. Illegal entry shows a lack of respect for the laws of the land and is a threat to human life.
The balance sheet did not balance, Hon. Fahie.
Non Locals + Smuggling = Deportation
Locals + Smuggling = Repatriation
What if the Non Locals are married to a Local
What if the Locals are the ones benefitting and aiding the Non Locals to smuggle?
Name one non local that has boats and dinghies everything that happen the first person’s you look to blame or reprimand are non locals I forgot we locals are perfect right the statement should have gone for both parties and it should have been said anyone found doing this crime would be severely dealt with case close not separating it smh we need to stop victimizing each other both locals and non locals
Smh
Fahie shame you shame. Stop call expats name. Call on your own people
We all know who doing smuggling in the BVI so stop pointing in expats direction
We all know who doing smuggling in the bvi.
You’re only pointing in expat
Direction to take the focus off the real smugglers.
Its ok for local to do it,because that the message I’m getting from u non locals know if u do three months in jail ur going to get report so what’s new sir
Where is the Whistle Blower law we was promised? Dhat would solve this problem…… Are any of the smugglers diognoseed with the virus?
Please get off the non-local back. We are not the ones doing the illegal activities.