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Premier Calls for Swift Passage of Police Amendment Bill to Combat Money Laundering
Premier Dr Natalio D. Wheatley, addressing the First Sitting of the Second Session of the Fifth House of Assembly on Tuesday, January 7, made a passionate appeal for the swift passage of the Police Amendment Bill 2024. The bill, first introduced last December, aims to rectify critical deficiencies in the British Virgin Islands’ legal framework, particularly concerning money laundering investigations and international cooperation.
Premier Wheatley emphasised the importance of compliance with recommendations from the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF). “While these ratings are an indication of our commitment and diligence to satisfying our obligations, they also point out the need for further enhancement of our legal framework,” he stated.
He highlighted specific areas requiring urgent reform, including the investigative powers of law enforcement and the ability to effectively combat financial crimes. He pointed to gaps in recommendation thirty-one and immediate outcomes seven and eight of the CFATF Mutual Evaluation Report (MER).
“The MER discloses that our policing framework lacks the advanced investigative techniques necessary for confronting complex investigations such as controlled deliveries and undercover operations,” Premier Wheatley said. He underscored the need to empower law enforcement with tools for production, search, and seizure, not only for domestic cases but also for international cooperation.
“These amendments are vital to reinforcing our legal framework, enhancing cooperation among domestic and international agencies, and aligning our strategic initiatives with international standards and global best practices,” he added.
Premier Wheatley also reflected on the territory’s historical reputation for peace and low crime rates, contrasting it with current challenges. “Madam Speaker, we all grew up in a Virgin Islands which was peaceful. You could go several years without even having one murder,” he said. Despite recent upticks in crime, he maintained, “We are still relatively low crime.”
He criticised those seeking to politicise the bill, stressing its urgency and importance. “I would not return this new session for a second and third reading unless it was of the utmost urgency,” he declared.
The bill introduces sections 30(5)(b) and 30(5)(c), aimed at bolstering law enforcement’s effectiveness in combating financial offenses and ensuring compliance with international standards. These provisions are designed to enable the confiscation of criminal proceeds, facilitate the return of stolen assets, and deny criminals the benefits of their illegal activities.
“By equipping our law enforcement with the necessary powers and tools to thoroughly investigate and prosecute money laundering offenses, we are not just fulfilling our international obligations but creating an environment that allows for the proper detection and punishment of criminal activities,” the Premier said.
He closed his remarks with a call for collective action to protect the territory’s reputation as a secure financial center. “We must act resolutely to increase our compliance ratings, address the deficiencies identified in the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force Report, and maintain the Virgin Islands’ reputation as a secure and stable financial center,” he urged.
The Police Amendment Bill 2024 is expected to undergo its second and third readings in the coming weeks, with hopes of swift passage to address the pressing legal and policing challenges facing the territory.
Soaring electricity bills, rising fuel prices and increasing import costs are placing growing pressure on households and businesses across the British Virgin Islands, prompting Claude Skelton Cline to warn during his Honestly Speaking radio program on May 19 that the territory should prepare for more difficult economic conditions and consider whether emergency measures may be needed to ease the burden.
Speaking on ZBVI Radio, Skelton Cline said the territory was entering a period of prolonged financial strain and urged residents, businesses and government officials to plan accordingly.
“The most dangerous position to be in right now is to be unprepared,” Skelton Cline said. “This thing is only going to intensify.”
Skelton Cline said higher utility costs were affecting nearly every sector of the economy, from households struggling to pay monthly bills to businesses facing decisions about staffing and operating expenses.
“These monthly utility bills are so exorbitant,” he said. “There is a domino effect of whether you can keep the same amount of staff.”
He questioned whether the government should consider using reserve funds and other measures to help stabilize fuel prices and provide relief to consumers.
“At what point does any of that trigger that creates a national state of emergency in this country?” Skelton Cline asked.
Skelton Cline noted that the territory has reserve funds and argued that policymakers should examine whether some of those resources could be used to reduce the impact of rising costs.
“There’s no reason why we should not be locking in fuel prices,” he said.
In addition to government action, Skelton Cline encouraged residents to take practical steps to reduce household expenses, including limiting electricity use and unplugging appliances when not in use.
“There are some things that are beyond our control, but there are some things that are within our control,” he said. “We must control those things.”
Skelton Cline said the British Virgin Islands had navigated difficult economic periods before and urged residents not to lose confidence.
“We cannot surrender to our frustration,” he said. “We cannot surrender to our cynicism and our skepticism.”
His comments come as consumers and business owners continue to face higher costs for electricity, fuel and imported goods, increasing concerns about the broader impact on employment, household budgets and the territory’s economy.
The Virgin Islands Icon Awards has announced 64 nominees across 13 categories for its 2026 ceremony, recognizing individuals and organizations for contributions in fields including sports, entrepreneurship, media, music, agriculture and public service, founder and executive producer Kareem Nelson Hull said.
The Virgin Islands Icon Awards was established to recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the social, cultural and economic development of the Territory.
The Ministry of Health and Social Development is monitoring an outbreak of hantavirus linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius that has resulted in several confirmed cases and three deaths, but Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley, Minister for Health and Social Development, and Dr. Ronald Georges, Chief Medical Officer, said Monday that the risk to the Virgin Islands remains low.
The ministry said the reported cases involve passengers and crew aboard the Dutch expedition vessel, which was operating outside the Caribbean region. Health officials said there is no evidence of any cases in the Virgin Islands or elsewhere in the Caribbean.
Honourable Wheatley said the ministry is working with regional and international partners, including the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), to monitor the situation and strengthen surveillance systems.
“At this time, the risk to the Caribbean, including the Virgin Islands, is considered low,” Dr. Georges said. “We are utilizing enhanced surveillance systems and maintaining routine port health inspections and preparedness protocols to ensure the continued protection of public health.”
Hantavirus is a rare but potentially serious disease that is primarily transmitted through contact with infected rodents or their droppings, urine or saliva. Human-to-human transmission is extremely uncommon.
The ministry said the rodent species typically associated with the virus are not commonly found in Caribbean environments, further reducing the likelihood of local transmission.
Residents are advised to avoid contact with rodents and areas where they may be present, safely clean and disinfect areas contaminated by rodent waste, maintain proper sanitation and waste disposal, and seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as fever or respiratory distress.
Early symptoms of hantavirus can resemble the flu but may progress to more serious respiratory complications if not treated promptly.
“We will continue to work closely with regional and international partners to ensure that any potential risks are identified early and managed effectively,” Dr. Georges said. “Protecting the health and safety of our residents remains our top priority.”
The Ministry of Health and Social Development said it will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.
Rising Costs Will Intensify, Skelton Cline Warns as He Suggests Emergency Measures
Coronavirus disease 2019
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