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Boats continue to enter the BVI and drop off illegal drugs at different points as part of an international transshipment network, Interim Acting Commissioner of Police Richard Ullger has said.
Ullger made the disclosure during a recent radio programme after being asked whether the activity was still taking place.
“I wouldn’t lie to you. Of course, we have boats coming in,” Ullger stated. “They stop over in different islands, drop off their merchandise to get it eventually to mainland USA. It is happening, yes, absolutely.”
He said the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force cannot tackle the drug trade alone and is working closely with His Majesty’s Customs, the Immigration Department and United States partners, including the USVI.
“We can’t do this by ourselves. We can work with partners, particularly Customs, Immigration and our US partners very closely,” Ullger said.
The police chief disclosed that the RVIPF recently participated in a major multinational operation involving South American countries, which led to the seizure of more than 4.8 tonnes of cocaine. However, he declined to provide further details.
Ullger also linked the drug trade and gangs to the circulation of illegal firearms in the Territory.
“It’s going to be very, very difficult to try and rid this place of guns if we’re not serious about it,” he warned.
He said removing illegal firearms would be a major victory for the Territory, but stressed that addressing the problem requires not only the support of the police and elected officials but the wider community.
Ullger made the disclosure during a recent radio programme after being asked whether the activity was still taking place.
“I wouldn’t lie to you. Of course, we have boats coming in,” Ullger stated. “They stop over in different islands, drop off their merchandise to get it eventually to mainland USA. It is happening, yes, absolutely.”
He said the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force cannot tackle the drug trade alone and is working closely with His Majesty’s Customs, the Immigration Department and United States partners, including the USVI.
“We can’t do this by ourselves. We can work with partners, particularly Customs, Immigration and our US partners very closely,” Ullger said.
The police chief disclosed that the RVIPF recently participated in a major multinational operation involving South American countries, which led to the seizure of more than 4.8 tonnes of cocaine. However, he declined to provide further details.
Ullger also linked the drug trade and gangs to the circulation of illegal firearms in the Territory.
“It’s going to be very, very difficult to try and rid this place of guns if we’re not serious about it,” he warned.
He said removing illegal firearms would be a major victory for the Territory, but stressed that addressing the problem requires not only the support of the police and elected officials but the wider community.
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