– Linked to 28-Person Trafficking Case in BVI

A citizen of the Dominican Republic, who holds Belonger Status in the British Virgin Islands, was arrested in the U.S. Virgin Islands on Wednesday night, September 25, after being caught trafficking two individuals into the territory.

Danny Dennevil, already facing charges in the BVI for human trafficking, was apprehended following a tense pursuit involving U.S. law enforcement. According to the Virgin Islands Consortium, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents had been monitoring a 12-foot dinghy operated by Dennevil as it left Little Thatch Cay and Frenchman Cay in Tortola on the night of September 25, 2024.

The boat, powered by a single 25-horsepower Yamaha engine, crossed into U.S. waters and was tracked into Leinster Bay on St. John. Law enforcement agents, observing the vessel’s movements, pursued the boat into Annaberg, where two individuals disembarked. These individuals, later identified as nationals of the Dominican Republic, were taken into custody for entering the USVI without legal documentation.

As agents attempted to stop Dennevil from fleeing back to Tortola, he allegedly ignored their commands, prompting officers to disable his boat’s engine, forcing him to stop.

While court documents do not specify Dennevil’s nationality, reports indicate he informed U.S. agents that he was already facing trial in the British Virgin Islands for a separate human trafficking case. Dennevil had previously been arrested in November 2021 for allegedly facilitating the illegal entry of 28 individuals, including Haitians and South Americans, who were discovered in a Baughers Bay apartment on Tortola. He had spent a year in remand before being released pending trial.

During that 2021 incident, Dennevil reportedly admitted to assisting the group, claiming that one of the individuals was his girlfriend, “Blondie,” whom he had met at a strip club. According to his statements, he expected to be compensated with sexual favors. Blondie, however, told investigators she had offered Dennevil $1,000 for his help, while her male cousin, another passenger, claimed he paid $5,150 to be smuggled from the Dominican Republic to St. Thomas via Tortola.

Dennevil is now facing new charges in the U.S. Virgin Islands, adding to the legal troubles he already faces in the British Virgin Islands. The case underscores the region’s ongoing challenges with human trafficking, as local and U.S. authorities work to clamp down on smuggling operations that exploit vulnerable individuals.

The BVI Tourist Board and Film Commission will announce the winner of this year’s Anegada Lobster Festival Art Competition today September 27. This annual event, a staple in the lead-up to the beloved Anegada Lobster Festival, has drawn the creative talents of young artists from across the British Virgin Islands, each competing to have their artwork featured in the festival’s official flapbook.

With this year’s theme—”Lobster, Sun & Anegada Fun”—entrants between the ages of 7 and 12 were tasked with bringing the vibrant culture of Anegada and its famous spiny lobster to life on paper. The young artists were challenged to capture the spirit of the island, combining its sun-soaked shores with the iconic lobster, a key symbol of the festival.

The stakes are high, with FLAP-tastic prizes lined up for the winners:

Grand Prize: A getaway to St. Maarten with two round-trip flights courtesy of Winair.
Second Prize: A round-trip ferry ticket for two to the Anegada Lobster Festival, complete with a delicious lunch.
Third Prize: A gift certificate for two for an Arts and Craft Adventure at Create BVI.
Fifth Prize: A guided hike for two with Hike BVI, perfect for nature lovers.
Seventh Prize: A culinary experience for two with Rotiman’s Johnny Cake, where winners can learn the art of making the island delicacy.
The festival organisers are thrilled to see the community’s response, especially from the island’s youth. “It’s not just about the lobster; it’s about celebrating Anegada and our BVI culture through art and creativity. This competition allows kids to play a big part in that celebration,” the organisers said.

Submissions for the contest closed on Monday, September 23rd, and the judges have been hard at work evaluating the entries. Winners will be revealed later today, marking the start of the excitement for the upcoming Anegada Lobster Festival—a cornerstone event in the BVI’s cultural calendar.

For those eager to see the results, the BVI Tourist Board will announce the winners at noon. Keep an eye out for the next young BVI artist whose artwork will be immortalised in this year’s festival flapbook!