772 kg cocaine seized in BVI waters, six men charged after joint operation

A multi-agency task force intercepted a vessel in British Virgin Islands waters on Dec. 8–9, seizing 772.4 kg of cocaine. Six men from the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, and St. Kitts and Nevis face drug charges.

772 kg cocaine seized in BVI waters, six men charged after joint operation

Six arrested after 772 kg cocaine haul in British Virgin Islands waters

A multi-agency law enforcement operation seized 772.4 kilograms of cocaine in British Virgin Islands waters on December 8 and 9, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force announced. Six men are now in BVI custody facing charges of importation of a controlled drug and four counts of possession with intent to supply.

virginislandsdailynews.com reports that the operation was initiated after intelligence indicated suspicious maritime activity within BVI waters. A targeted response led to the interception of a vessel, where the drugs — totalling 1,703 pounds — were recovered and the suspects apprehended.

The suspects

The six men arrested come from three different islands in the region:

All six remain in BVI custody pending their appearance at the Magistrate's Court.

Joint operation across multiple agencies

The operation brought together His Majesty's Customs, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Joint Regional Command Centre from the CARICOM region.

Interim acting Police Commissioner Richard Ullger commended the teams involved, noting the operation carried significant risks.

"This seizure is a clear demonstration of what can be achieved when law enforcement agencies work together with precision, intelligence, and determination," Ullger said. "The removal of more than 770 kilograms of cocaine from circulation represents a major blow to organized crime. I commend every officer and partner agency involved for their professionalism and unwavering commitment to protecting the Virgin Islands."

Context: a territory with a history of large drug seizures

The December bust is at least the second major cocaine haul in recent years to draw public comment from BVI authorities.

In November 2020, then-Governor Augustus Jaspert and Police Commissioner Michael Matthews announced what was described at the time as the largest drug seizure in the territory's history — 2,353 kilograms of cocaine, valued at $250 million, recovered in the Balsam Ghut area. Jaspert noted the value represented roughly 75% of the BVI's entire national budget. A Royal Virgin Islands Police officer, Darren Davis — a 20-year veteran then aged 41 — and his brother Liston Davis, 40, were charged in connection with that seizure. The outcome of those proceedings was not immediately known.

The BVI's vulnerability to drug trafficking was further underscored by the 2022 arrest and subsequent conviction of former BVI Premier Andrew Fahie and then-BVI Ports Authority Director, confirming that criminal activity had reached the highest levels of government.

BVI police are urging the public to report any suspicious activity to the RVIPF Intelligence Unit at 284-368-9339, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 284-800-8477 for callers from overseas.

Source: Google News VG — Crime