Crime/Police
Flow Of Cocaine Through The BVI Directly Linked To Gun Crime, says Governor John Rankin
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– Gangs Control The Illegal Trade
Gun crime in the British Virgin Islands is directly linked to the flow of narcotics through the territory and the gangs who control the illegal trade, says Governor John Rankin.
At a June 9 press conference, the Governor said a substantial number of murders and shootings are linked to the transportation of cocaine through the territory and the gangs who control the illicit operations.
“…a substantial number are related to the problem of the illicit transport of drugs through the territory. I don’t think this is talked about enough. The cocaine flows through this territory, and the gangs which run the cocaine through are directly linked to a lot of the murders and shootings which have taken place.”
Governor Rankin pointed out that while the territory remains an overall low crime jurisdiction, “there are too many guns in the territory…guns which carry out the shootings.”
He added that “we need to take action through the police, through immigration, and customs to have increased controls as a provisional course coming into the territory to reduce illicit import of firearms.”
The Governor stressed that one of the key resources needed to address rising crime in the BVI is more police presence in communities with twenty-first-century crime-fighting strategies.
“The provisions in the Police Act, most of which have not yet been passed by the House of Assembly, are in line with the democratic standards in the Western world, and we need the police to have the necessary powers in the twenty-first century to deal with those who are using twenty-first-century techniques and technology to carry out their crimes.”
The BVI is a narcotics transshipment hotspot with millions of dollars in cocaine seized by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force in joint operations with the United States Coast Guard annually.
In 2020, the island nation recorded its largest single cocaine find – a record 2.35 tonne of the illegal substance worth more than $250 million was seized during a covert operation that led to the arrest of one local police officer.
Two years later, former Premier Andrew Fahie in April 2022 was arrested in a sting operation in Miami, Florida for conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States and money laundering.
Fahie, along with ex-Ports Authority Managing Director Oleanvine Maynard, and her son Kadeem, were detained in a Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) operation to import at least five kilograms of cocaine and to launder $700,000 between October 16, 2021 and April 28, 2022.
The trio had planned to use the territory as a transit point for trafficking drugs and potentially guns to the United States mainland.
Fahie and the female Maynard were charged with one count each of interstate and foreign travel in aid of racketeering.
The Maynards, who have been in federal custody for more than a year, had originally pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and money laundering charges, however, they have since filed separate motions in a Southern District Federal court in Florida to plead guilty.
A change-of-plea hearing is set for May 12 for both Maynards, while Fahie, who is represented by attorney Theresa Van Vliet, is preparing for his trial next month.
Federal prosecutors have until tomorrow, June 10, to submit their sentencing recommendations to the court for the male Maynard.
Fahie, the former First Electoral District Representative and chairman of the Virgin Islands Party, remains on one million dollars bail – $500,000 cash and $500,00 surety – and presently lives in his daughters’ two-bedroom apartment in Florida with an ankle monitor.
Governor Ranking closed his press conference stressing that tackling crime in the BVI must be done in a holistic fashion, which includes the police working with the community.
“Of course we need to work with the community because the police cannot do it all themselves. We need the community to assist the police and the police to assist the community in tackling this problem and helping to prevent those who get involved in these criminal actions.”
Crime/Police
BVI Native Trevor Hughes’ Fiancée Badly Beaten in Deadly Bronx Parking Dispute
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Trevor Hughes, a British Virgin Islands native, was fatally shot, and his fiancée was brutally beaten in a violent dispute over a blocked driveway in the Bronx, authorities said.
Hughes, 49, and his fiancée, 47, had just returned home around 2 a.m. on February 8 when they found a car parked in front of their driveway on Fowler Avenue. After Hughes attempted to resolve the issue by calling 311 and notifying police, the situation escalated. According to authorities, 41-year-old Fallon Wise attacked Hughes’ fiancée, leaving her with multiple facial fractures, including a broken nose and shattered teeth.
During the assault, Hughes was allegedly shot in the abdomen by 46-year-old Lavar Davis. He was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Davis, who has a history of violent crime, including a prior murder conviction in Schenectady, is charged with second-degree murder. Wise faces charges of assault and harassment.
Hughes, a father of four and a well-known DJ known as DJ Dread, was described as a beloved member of his community. His family expressed devastation, calling the attack “senseless violence over something so petty.”
Both Davis and Wise remain in custody as the investigation continues.
Crime/Police
Governor Accepts Resignation of ACP Pam Trevillion from the RVIPF
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The Governor of the British Virgin Islands, Daniel Pruce, has formally accepted the resignation of Assistant Commissioner Pam Trevillion from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF). In an official memorandum dated February 14, Governor Pruce confirmed Trevillion’s resignation, with her last day of service set for March 8.
Governor Pruce expressed his gratitude for Trevillion’s contributions to the security of the Virgin Islands, stating, “I should like to take this opportunity to thank you for the significant contribution you have made to the security of the Virgin Islands during your tenure at the RVIPF. I wish you every success for the future.”
In the letter which was shared on the official HM Governor’s Office Facebook page, Pruce noted that he had copied the memorandum to Acting Commissioner Vanterpool, the Deputy Governor, and members of the National Security Council (NSC) and the Police Service Commission (PoSC), ensuring that the necessary administrative processes would proceed accordingly.
The official reason for Trevillion’s resignation has not been publicly disclosed.
Previously, reports surfaced on February 12 suggesting that Trevillion had tendered her resignation, but Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline Vanterpool had stated that she had not been informed of any such resignation. JTV News reached out to the Office of the Governor for confirmation and awaited a response at that time. The RVIPF also responded to media claims that ACP Trevillion had been placed on forced leave, labeling those reports as “erroneous, misleading, and misinformation.”
In a statement issued on February 10, the RVIPF clarified that there had been no physical confrontation between Vanterpool and Trevillion, and denied any allegations of an investigation—particularly one related to assault—being initiated against the assistant commissioner. Vanterpool urged media outlets to verify information before publication, emphasizing that misinformation could have reputational consequences for both individuals and the RVIPF. No further details were provided regarding Trevillion’s employment status at that time.
Crime/Police
Police Arrest Three in BVI Firearms Crackdown; One Charged with Possession
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The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has arrested three men following a targeted operation in the Threllfall area on Friday, February 7, as part of an ongoing crackdown on illegal firearm possession.
Following the operation, authorities formally charged one suspect, George Ollivierre Jr., 32, with Possession of a Prohibited Firearm and two counts of Unlawful Possession of Explosives. Law enforcement officials stated that Ollivierre was found in possession of 35 rounds of .45 caliber ammunition and one round of 9mm ammunition. He remains in police custody pending his appearance before the Magistrate’s Court.
Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline Vanterpool reaffirmed the RVIPF’s commitment to tackling gun-related crimes. “The public is reminded that possessing unlicensed firearms and ammunition is a serious offense, and law enforcement will take all necessary actions to ensure the safety of the community,” Vanterpool stated.
The arrests mark the latest effort by authorities to curb the presence of illegal firearms in the territory, a persistent issue that law enforcement agencies have been aggressively addressing. The RVIPF continues to encourage the public to report any information related to illegal weapons or suspicious activity.
Individuals with relevant information are urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 800-8477 (TIPS) or, for those calling from overseas, at (284) 800-8477. Alternatively, information can be shared confidentially with the RVIPF Intelligence Unit at 368-9339.
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