Governor John J. Rankin Calls For Heightened Security At Anegada Airport

British Virgin Islands Governor John J. Rankin has expressed serious concern over the alarming prevalence of guns and drugs within the territory and called for heightened security measures at Anegada’s  Auguste  George Airport.

The statement was made during a visit to Anegada on Friday, September 22, where he examined evidence of recent illicit drug-related activities, including a plane that this week landed without authorisation and was set on fire at the airport on the sister island.

Governor Rankin stressed the urgent need to bolster security at the airport to combat the illicit transportation of drugs through Anegada, and reiterated his commitment to working closely with the authorities in the ongoing fight against the importation of illegal drugs and firearms.

“We must urgently increase security at the airport to tackle its misuse of Anegada for the illegal transportation of drugs. I will work together with the National Security Council, the RVIPF (Royal Virgin Islands Police Force), and the Airports Authority to achieve this,” he said

During his visit, the governor was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner of Police St Clair Amory and representatives of the British Virgin Islands Airports Authority.

While acknowledging the positive progress made in terms of drug and gun seizures, Governor Rankin expressed deep concern about the extensive scale of the problem.

“Whilst the growing number of seizures of drugs and guns is encouraging, the scale of the problem is deeply worrying. The security of the Virgin Islands is my top priority.”

The territory is now a significant hub for drug transshipment due to its close proximity to the United States. In August, a plane and a significant quantity of cocaine were seized during a joint British Virgin Islands and U.S. drug enforcement operation at the airport in Anegada.