Two caught at sea with $500K, accused men deny knowledge of cash
Two men who were allegedly caught aboard a vessel with half-million dollars in cash this month have been granted $100,000 bail in the Magistrate’s Court.
Charged with failing to declare monies to Customs is Gerome Nibbs of the BVI and St Vincent national, Zibert Morgan.
Nibbs pleaded not guilty when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards on Monday while his co-accused deferred answering to the charge until a subsequent court appearance.
Allegations
The court heard that on December 21 this year, the Police Marine Unit was on its way from Road Town in Tortola to Virgin Gorda.
It was during that time that they reportedly noticed a go-fast boat on the southeastern coast of Tortola manoeuvring through the round rock passage and heading towards East End.
The police reportedly stayed behind the vessel and intercepted it sometime later.
It is alleged that the two accused men were the only occupants of the vessel, and when asked the purpose of their trip, Nibbs, who was the captain, said he was testing the vessel.
When they were asked to provide identification, they were reportedly unable to do so. It is also reported that the men said ‘no’ when asked if they had anything to declare.
During a subsequent search of the 34-foot vessel in question, police allegedly found a handheld GPS device and a black duffle bag inside a hatch containing the cash.
It’s not ours
The accused men denied owning the bag or the cash, the court heard.
The men were subsequently taken to the Police Marine Base where financial crime officers were summoned that same afternoon.
The money was then counted in the presence of the accused men. It amounted to $500,000.
The court heard that both accused men were then interviewed. They reportedly insisted that they had no knowledge of the bag or money.
Bail
Hearing no objections from the Crown, bail in the sum of $100,000 was offered to the duo with a cash component of $50,000.
Among their bail conditions, the accused men were ordered to surrender all their travelling documents and report to the Road Town Police Station every Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 6 am to 12 pm.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to January 30.
Valerie Stevens-Gordon represents Nibbs while Patrick Thompson represents Morgan.
Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
Who owns the boat?
Might have been better if they’d said they found the bag at sea and were on their way to deliver it to E. End police station. Good luck to them. What was the route/waypoints on GPS….
Stop messing around – pass the unexplained wealth legislation and confiscate boats, cars and homes if they cannot explain how they obtained these….
That legislation is already on the books for almost 20 years…its just never enforced or else a lot of people’s assets will be gone
The BVI is the main culprit in unexplained wealth. The BVI IS THE MAIN PERPETRATOR OF THIS CRIME. What is the purpose of the offshore corporation. Stop being hypocritical when a couple of guys are found with some cash. The only reason you arrest them is so that the Territory can steal the cash from them. Give it a rest, sit down and shut up
While we’re at it lets seize America, France and Great Britain, lots of unexplained wealth there as well.
@ unexplained wealth legislation : thats’ easy for you to come on here and blog BUT you will be Surprised How many properties will be SEIZED if that law is ever passed/enforced in BVI
It’s mine. I’ll be there to collect it on Monday… Thank you
dem boyz dun teef 1/2 ah it
Lol????
I was telling d judge it was a million we had where d rest 500k gone?? Police to thiefff
I not want to bee dem boys who lost the policeman’s booty…. nada no way. DA man — swim with fishies soon.