Local News
Premier of the Attends 54th Caribbean Development Bank Annual Meeting in Ontario
Hon. Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley, Premier and Minister of Finance of the Virgin Islands, is currently attending the 54th Annual Meeting of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) in Ontario, Canada.
This event, running from June 18 to 21, gathers the bank’s highest decision-making body, along with thought-leaders, innovators, academics, business leaders, policymakers, and government officials to engage in critical discussions aimed at advancing sustainable development in the Caribbean region.
The theme of this year’s meeting, “Partnerships for Resilient Prosperity,” highlights the collaborative efforts of the CDB and its member countries towards achieving resilient and sustainable growth. Emphasis will be placed on developing comprehensive measures for sustainable development and securing the necessary financial resources to support these initiatives.
Dr. Wheatley serves as the Governor representing the British Overseas Territories within the CDB. Each member country of the bank nominates a Governor and an Alternate Governor, with Governors casting votes on behalf of their respective territories. The British Overseas Territories, including Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Montserrat, and the Turks and Caicos Islands, are collectively recognized as a single member entity in the bank.
Accompanying Premier Wheatley is the Acting Financial Secretary, Dr. Drexel Glasgow, who serves as the primary liaison for the CDB’s partnership with the Government of the Virgin Islands.
In Premier Wheatley’s absence, Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour, and Trade, Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE, has been appointed Acting Premier and Minister of Finance from June 18 to June 21, 2024. This appointment is in accordance with Section 55 (1) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007, which mandates that the Governor authorize the Deputy Premier to perform the Premier’s duties if the Premier is absent from the territory for more than forty-eight hours.
Premier Wheatley is scheduled to return to the Virgin Islands on June 21.
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Crime/Police
RVIPF Seizes High-Powered Firearms in Major Crime Crackdown
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has recovered three high-powered firearms from two separate incidents this week.
On Monday, June 24, RVIPF officers, acting on specific intelligence, attempted to stop a Kia Soul in the Johnsons Ghut area.
Upon seeing the officers, the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, officers discovered two prohibited firearms: a Micro Draco 7.62 calibre rifle and a 5.56 calibre rifle equipped with a silencer. A substantial amount of ammunition was also recovered. Efforts to identify and locate the driver are ongoing.
Two days later, on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, RVIPF officers conducted a stop-and-check operation in the Huntum’s Ghut area. During the operation, a vehicle search revealed a 0.40 calibre pistol with several .40 rounds of ammunition. Additionally, several items suspected to have been stolen were seized. Three male suspects were arrested and remain in police custody as the investigation proceeds.
Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mark Collins, praised the officers for their bravery and unwavering dedication to reducing crime and safeguarding the community. “These recoveries highlight the relentless commitment of our officers to ensure the safety and security of the Virgin Islands. We will continue to act on intelligence and conduct operations to remove illegal firearms from our streets.”
The RVIPF urges anyone with information related to these incidents to contact the Crime Stoppers line confidentially at 800-8477 (TIPS) or, for international calls, 1-284-800-8477. The RVIPF Intelligence Unit can also be reached at 284-368-9339. Even seemingly minor information could prove crucial in solving these crimes and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
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