Local News
Dominican Republic National Accused of Entering U.S. From BVI Detained on Drug and Immigration Charges
Carlos Alexis Olivares-Taveras, 34, a national of the Dominican Republic who told investigators he unlawfully entered the United States from Tortola, British Virgin Islands, has been detained on federal charges of cocaine possession with intent to distribute and illegal entry, Acting U.S. Attorney Adam F. Sleeper announced, according to a report by the VI Consortium.
Olivares-Taveras was ordered detained Sept. 24, 2025, pending trial or until the defense requests a reopening of his detention hearing. His arrest followed a Sept. 22 operation on St. Thomas by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and partner law enforcement agencies, the VI Consortium reported.
According to court documents, HSI agents stopped a vehicle driven by Olivares-Taveras during an immigration enforcement operation. Agents reported seeing a white powdery substance in the driver’s side door panel. A search uncovered 11 baggies containing a substance that tested positive for cocaine and about $4,000 in U.S. currency.
During an interview, Olivares-Taveras admitted the cocaine and money were his and said he had entered the United States unlawfully in February 2025 by boat from Tortola to St. John without presenting himself at a port of entry, prosecutors said.
He is charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1), and illegal entry into the United States, in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1325(a)(1). The drug charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
The case is being investigated by HSI and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). Assistant U.S. Attorney Cherrisse R. Amaro is prosecuting.
Authorities noted that a criminal complaint is an allegation and that defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has confirmed that Tarik Aaron was arrested shortly before midnight on Friday, April 17, on extradition orders issued by authorities in the United States Virgin Islands, and has since appeared before the Magistrate’s Court.
According to police, the arrest was carried out in connection with a request from USVI authorities, though further details have not been disclosed.
Aaron appeared before the Magistrate’s Court today and was denied bail.
Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office has announced an increase in fees for United Kingdom passports, effective April 8, 2026.
According to the office, the revised fees apply to new, renewal and replacement passport applications, as well as other related services.
Under the new structure, the cost for a new, renewal or replacement adult passport has been set at £116.50, while the fee for a child passport is £75.50. Adult frequent traveller passports will cost £130.50, and child frequent traveller passports £89.50.
The fee for changes to an existing passport will also be £116.50. In addition, a delivery fee of £14.32 will apply.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office advised that the updated fees are now in effect and apply to all relevant applications submitted on or after April 8.
A bill proposing wide-ranging changes to the Virgin Islands’ electoral system was introduced in the House of Assembly today, Tuesday, April 22, by Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley.
The proposed Elections (Amendment) Act, 2026, is based on consultations with stakeholders and recommendations from observer missions, as well as input from the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections.
“This is the Elections Amendment Act 2026, following extensive deliberations with a number of entities, including a committee of the House who looked at recommendations of various observer missions that came to The Virgin Islands,” Hon. Wheatley said during the continuation of the Second Sitting of the Third Session of the Fifth House of Assembly.
He said the bill also builds on work undertaken by the previous House of Assembly. “Also, the last House of Assembly looked at a number of recommendations that were forwarded through the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections,” he said.
Hon. Wheatley said the proposed amendments were developed through discussions on changes to the Elections Act. “We had very extensive discussions about amendments to the Elections Act, and of course, those recommendations were used to make this Amendment Act. This received its first reading some time ago, and now we are here to debate this Elections Act, so that it can therefore become law,” he said.
The bill introduces several reforms to the electoral framework, including expanded access to voting through mobile and curbside options for individuals with physical limitations and the formal use of assistive technologies for voters with disabilities.
It also provides for the establishment of a Department of Elections and an Elections Advisory Committee to oversee voter registration and election administration.
Additional provisions include a formal Code of Conduct for political parties and candidates, along with new rules governing campaign donations and political financing.
The legislation also proposes restrictions on the announcement of major public grants or projects shortly before an election, aimed at addressing potential incumbency advantages.
The bill has already received its first reading and is expected to be referred to a committee when the House of Assembly resumes on April 30, 2026, at 10 a.m., where it will undergo further review as part of the legislative process.
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