Reports out of neighboring USVI, St. Thomas are that Jason Frett, 36, and Ashley Warner, 54, both of Tortola, were arrested at the Cyril E. King airport in connection with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, yesterday, May 24.

According USVI media reports, United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert said that Frett and Warner made their initial appearance before Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller and were detained, pending further proceedings.

According to the complaint, Frett and Warner were stopped by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Cyril E. King airport after it was discovered that Frett and Warner were attempting to smuggle eleven kilograms of cocaine through the airport to the U.S. mainland in coolers.

The white powdery substance discovered inside the coolers, field tested positive for cocaine and weighed approximately 11 kilograms.

Authorities have stated that if convicted of possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute, Frett and Warner face a term of imprisonment of not less than 10 years and not more than life, and a fine of $10,000,000.00.

The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sigrid M. Tejo-Sprotte.