In press releases distributed to the media on Saturday 22 July, Police have confirmed that both boats seized in last week’s drug bust were tampered with.
On Wednesday 19 July 2023, the RVIPF were in a drug bust operation at sea which saw the seizure of two go fast boats and tons of cocaine. On Friday afternoon 21 July, the Donzi was seen being escorted under heavy police protection. However, in the wee hours of Saturday morning, the boat was burned beyond recognition while in police custody at the Road Town Police Station.
Later that morning, Guavaberry Media was informed that the other boat seized in the operation, was stolen from the RVIPF Marine Base at Road Reef. A fact later confirmed by the Police through an updated press release. When and how the boat was stolen has not been addressed.
The Police have said they were able to gather all evidence required before the boats were stolen and burnt, and that several arrests have been made in the matter, but who is now liable for the boats seeing that they were in the custody of the Police?
The incidents of the weekend have left the public questioning the competence of the Governor, the Commissioner of Police and the RVIPF, and their ability to protect the Territory and its borders. The brazen acts have shocked the Territory and some residents are convinced there was inside assistance, Police assisting criminals.
During a press conference held on 21 July by the Governor, Premier and COP to update the public on crime, Guavaberry Media posed the following statement and question:
“There is a growing sentiment amongst the public, and on all sides of the territorial narrative that there is now more than ever a serious belief in the total ineptitude and indifference demonstrated by both the UK and the elected Government on every level relating to every aspect of Government and accountability to the people ... whether this be the day to day Government operations, law enforcement, airport authority, increments and the threats of strikes from multiple Government departments, electrical disruptions, and many other issues. How do you adequately respond to this when every failure is from the halls of the UK's top brass, to the BVI's elected Government? How do you convince the people that this ship isn't about to hit rock bottom? This is only what we're seeing on the surface. How do we know there is not a lot more to come?
Both the Governor and the Premier took offense to the statement of ineptitude and sought to defend their relevant titles.
But the true picture on the ground indicates that all is not well for the Virgin Islands.