RVIPF: BVI sees historic expansion of organised crime
Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) Kenrick Davis has revealed that 2024 marked the first time the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) encountered organised property crime in the territory.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, January 15, following a spate of gun-related incidents, Davis cited a 12% rise in crime in 2024, driven largely by gang activity.
“For the first time, we observed property crimes—such as motor vehicle thefts, burglaries, and robberies—being carried out in an organised manner,” Davis said, noting that organized crime had traditionally been associated with drug and gun trafficking.
The RVIPF has since intensified efforts to combat gang activity.
The recent murder of 20-year-old Quentinn Noel, who was fatally shot near his home in Purcell Estate during the early hours of January 15, underscores the escalating violence. His death marks the first murder for 2025.
In a separate incident on the same day, a U.S. Virgin Islands national was arrested and charged after being found with over 200 rounds of ammunition.
The RVIPF also continues to address gang-related crimes. In November 2024, police identified the “Money Boyz” gang, linked to multiple offences, including the attempted murder of K’zhari Stoutt in Long Bush. While 22-year-old Shemoi Carey of Huntum’s Ghut has been arrested for the incident, 18-year-old K’Shawn Martin of Sand Box Road remains at large.
Two individuals suspected of aiding an offender were recently detained and later released pending further investigations.
The RVIPF has reminded the public that aiding criminals is a serious offence under Section 352 of the Criminal Code, carrying penalties of three to 10 years’ imprisonment.
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22yrw old 18yrw old, 20yrs old
Y’all hear those ages? Keep ignoring the youths and what them doing…
More engagement needed at the school why so many youths idolise crime life?? Who are there role models? Are they any after school activities to keep them occupied? Is anyone visiting and talking to them regularly? Check up on their homes?
It’s not just the boys too. The females are unruly as well. Instead y’all promoting festival and vybz kartel.
Then there people on the radio shouting free drew and west bank like a broken record. Y’all promote badness at the youths see that. The songs they listen too , the company they be around. Then there smoking. I have nothing against the green plant but if your child smoking do you think the company he’ll attract or go around will be people of good standards? Highly doubt it.
More engagement needed at home to start with! We let phones do the babysitting but we know little of what they are doing with these insidious devices.
And, indeed, for how many decades has there been underinvestment in youth programs? Better to build a $ 1 million wall around a school than to invest in youth it seems.
As you sow, so shall you reap comes to mind (unfortunately)
What do the sentencing guidelines say about ammunition? Please make sure he gets all of that and more.
The government needs to invest in sports to keep these young boys active in a positive manner.
Have someone fix all the nets in the country, place free basketballs on the court, have a sport outfit giveaway.
Fishing tournaments, swimming races, bike races, engine rebuild competition.
Space these events out throughout the year to keep them looking forward to something.
With the rise in organized crime and violence, law-abiding citizens should have the right to own firearms for self-defense. Responsible gun ownership can help deter criminals and protect families when police can’t always respond quickly. Of course, strict regulations and proper training are essential to ensure safety for all.
John Wick – my brotha from another motha! I’ve been beating this drum for years, but usually get the “we don’t want the BVI to become like the Wild West” idiotic responses. As I have said, the BVI is ALREADY the Wild West, but the difference is that only the bad guys have guns in the BVI version – not the law-abiding folks.
Oh sure…. that’s been working well in the US. Shoot first ask questions later. Who becomes liable when your firearm is stolen and used in the commission of a crime? or, if your progeny decides to go shoot up a school?
You say strict regulations? Can you name any strict regulation that is abided by all in the Territory? Proper training? By whom? And, what assurance is there that this “proper training” will not prevent crimes of passion.
They criminals see how weak our leaders and the law are
A large amount of this is the lure of money & status. A number of our women in the territory love the gangsta image and I am not just speaking about women in their teens (mature women)
Two shootings last night. All these murders over the years and no convictions except for the guy from St Vincent. No locals gonna convict their friends and neighbours. Plus murderers getting more cocky and doing it daylight as well. I cannot go out at night its unsafe but looks like daytime too.
These are adults at 20 but to find weed all of their peers have to go meet someone shady, or venture down a dark alley that is only safe because its the BVI. Weed is a gateway to crime because it is still illegal. Rather than collecting revenue we are making our own mess of the next generation. People will do it anyway legalize and make it safe.
YOU REALLY LOVE TO TALK STUPIDNESS , WIGGIE WE KNOW YOUR TITLE START WITH A ( W ) YOUTHS AND ADULTS GETTING GUNNED DOWN AND ALL YOU CAN THINK OF IS PROMOTING WEED / AS IF THE WEED WAS LEGALIZED ALL THE CRIME WILL STOP – DUHHHHHHH , AND OUR ONCE PEACEFUL AND FRIENDLY COUNTRY WILL BE BACK TO NORMAL, AND THE COCAINE -GUNS – & CORRUPTION WILL DISSAPPEAR , YEAH RITE – AO WILL FREE THE DREW , KEEP TRYING TO CONVINCE US , JUST HOLLER OUT A LITTLE LOUDER , WE
CAN’T HEAR YOU , BOI GO PLAY WITH YOUR WIG, PLEASE
I have to say this and I am sorry if any one is offended. When attending BVI High School and you enter 12th Grade, the last six months to graduation, the School received queries from Employers and you were sent on interviews by the School. They were in a good position to choose who were exceling in certain studies and then you were responsible for selling yourself in your interview which the School also prepared you for.
Elmore Stoutt High School should reach out to Employers yearly and try to place some of our very promising students even part time if they are attending college. Many of our male students do not attend college but are timid when seeking work and gives up when their first attempts fails. Sorry to say, but this is another bad sign of the young people taking over, but missing the bigger picture of what their goals are and how it is important to be Nationalistic.
I have said it before and I will continue to say it. When importing labour is more important to employers in the BVI than hiring their own, we will continue to have these issues. The young people need a job. They need a job fresh out of High School. They will not be the perfect employee after sitting at home for two years or on the block for a year, but those young people deserve a chance as well. So what do I see in every big business and even mom and pop stores in Town, persons from across the Pacific. Are they all perfect employees? I doubt it. I went to a business today and there were five of them in a popular store that sells school supplies to our students. Is that job so hard one of those students after graduation cannot do it? My people are selfish and do not give back.
Well, sorry to say it, but if we do not rethink this and hire from within, then crime will continue to escalate and these same businesses may be compromised by desperate persons trying to eat or feed their families. For which Virgin Islander has the privilege of travelling to any other Caribbean Island or the Phillipines to try and find work? No reciprocity. It is WRONG. And before you all come for me, I have no problem with persons travelling to other places for a better life. This is God’s world and free movement is expected. Hire your own first and then import, but the Virgin Islands must be the only place with over 12,000 work permits and 8,000 (my estimate) young nationals not working. Are they all lazy bandits? No they are not.
There are exceptions: CCT, Sol Gas, Brothers Gas Station, I see you. I applaud you for hiring our young people. And all the others who I did not call, though not many, keep up the good work.
Organized criminal gangs have been operating in the BVI since the 80’s mainly smuggling guns, ammo, drugs, cash, humans and other contraband in or out of the BVI. All these smuggling gangs have international criminals operating through BVI, USVI, Puerto Rico and St. Martin.
The juvenile ‘money boyz’ gang seem to be the first local BVI gang and therefore entitled to family protection. Just like the smugglers these juveniles will eventually die, become incarcerated or otherwise just disappear from the Caribbean area. Except for the criminal politicians the street gang members have a very short, violent life.
We as a people know of relatives and friends doing wrong but we say nothing and look the otherbway