£100m worth of cocaine discovered in Essex! Is UK corrupt too?
According to the UK publication, Evening Standard, more than a tonne of cocaine, worth £100 million, has been found hidden in a shipment of banana pulp.
The 1,060 kilograms of concealed cocaine were discovered hidden in a shipping container as part of routine inspections by Border Force at the London Gateway depot in Essex last month, November.
Home Secretary Priti S. Patel said: “Drugs fuel criminality and destroy lives."
2nd major drug bust in 2 months in Essex, UK
The discovery on November 12, 2020, marks the second-largest shipment of cocaine to be discovered at the Essex port in the space of two months.
In September, Border Force National Deep Rummage Team officers discovered 1,155 kilograms of cocaine in a shipment of paper.
Following the discovery of some 2,353 kilos cocaine in a trailer in Balsam Ghut on November 6, 2020, Governor Jaspert and Commissioner of Police Michael B. Matthews called a press conference on Tuesday, November 10, 2020, to gloat over the find and also made certain comments that many have said could have possible implications on the VI’s investment future.
“My view and that of law enforcers is that this is not the work of a few criminals sneaking through the cracks or a one-off. A seizure of this scale, especially when combined with other seizures made in recent months, is strong evidence of serious and organised criminality here in BVI,” Governor Jaspert stated, adding that there may be “pockets of corruption facilitating this kind of illicit activity.”
At the time one serving police officer was charged in connection with the drug bust.
Governor’s statements damaging to VI’s reputation- Talk show host
The Governor, who is tasked with the security of the Territory, continued that “the fact that corruption has occurred is a sobering sign that our institutions can be manipulated. If we fail to tackle corruption now, there is a danger that it could spread throughout our institutions, businesses and society.”
Accusing both the Commissioner and Governor of gloating over the drug bust, Mr Julio S. Henry on the November 17, 2020, edition of JTV’s The Big Story said the Governor remains in charge of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) and security, therefore, he cannot call it corrupt and disassociate himself from those comments.
“The Governor is responsible. So is he saying that the system that he's in charge of and the Police [is] in charge of, has systematic corruption? That makes him corrupt,” Henry told The Big Story host Ms Cathy O. Richards.
Mr Henry had also hypothesised that an outsider looking into the VI and reading about systematic corruption in the UK press has the potential to deter future investors.
Governor ‘irresponsible’
Meanwhile, Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) in his 2021 Budget Speech of November 12, 2020, had called the Governor’s statement irresponsible and asked for a retraction, which to date, has not happened.
“This latest bust does not show that our system is corrupt, but rather it shows that our system and our officers stand up for what is right,” the Premier said.
Premier Fahie said the statement was a well-calculated attempt to stain the good name of the many hardworking law-abiding citizens, the local law enforcement agencies and the VI economy, “The irresponsible statement made will not deter your Government from investing in the advancement of our people in all aspects of local law enforcement.”
Persons have since called into to our newsroom and shared the articles about the recent drug bust in the UK.
They are now wondering if Governor Japsert will now say there are pockets of corruption in the UK facilitating such illicit activity.
Our newsroom reached out to the Governor’s Officer for a comment; however, no response was received up to time of publication.
‘Reckless’ Governor Jaspert
The Governor, who has been accused of trying to cause a divide between the people of the Virgin Islands and their elected government with certain public utterances, recently drew the ire of some people of the Territory, including Premier Fahie when he publicly stated there was corruption in the civil service, even though he admitted he had absolutely no proof.
Premier Fahie had labelled the Governor’s statement as reckless as it has implications on the local, regional and international reputation of the [British] Virgin Islands and how all Virgin Islanders are viewed by persons looking on.
Don’t bite the hand that feeds you
Premier Fahie lamented “it is sad that this is the goodbye gift that Governor chooses to leave the people of the BVI with after they have showed him BVILOVE for the last four years.”
The expenses of the Governor, including accommodation and transportation, are borne by the Government of the Virgin Islands.
The UK national, Mr Jaspert, also recently upset a section of the Virgin Islands population for what many described as insensitive, insulting and derogatory remarks about reparations for the cruel acts of slavery and the preservation of names of landmarks in the Territory.
No apologies from Governor to date
Some persons, including talk show hosts and prominent figures, have called for an apology from the Governor; however, none was made.
Mr Jaspert was scheduled to depart the territory this year but recently announced he is staying on until January 2021.
The public now waits with bated breath as to what will be the next controversy coming from the UK appointed Governor.
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71 Responses to “£100m worth of cocaine discovered in Essex! Is UK corrupt too?”
We can suspect that there is CORRUPTION .. but it shouldn't be stated unless you have proof
Gov never said it does not exist in England. He simply said corruption exists here and duh.... it does. Wake up and accept or try to improve reality
I agree the man done show his hands he needs to be ch***** out of the BVI fast
Governor and chief Cop come on down
butbto put it in scale....look at the population of uk and compare to population of bvi.
it was a fare and reasonable comment for the govenor to make....you cant have that volume of drugs enter the territory without someone n a position of authority being involved...as has been proven by the public servants who have been upheld by the law already. but let's not forget the corruption with the 40 mil overrun on the tortola pier park...the bvi airways debacle and " the wall" which have all so far just fizzled out in terms of the investigations...and it doesnt seem all that unreasonable for the governor to mention the word corruption....even the premier said it
COME ONE DOWN .
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM U..
WE DIDN'T HAS TO BEG WHEN IT HAPPEN IN TOLA.
Lets hear mr governor
Tell us when you both will be holding the press conference @ government house
Tell our people when DEA will be going to the United Kingdom
Commissioner of royal virgin islands police
Governor of this Overseas Territory please tell our citizens when 2 of you will in act legislation to investigate unexplained wealth where both of u came here from
Fly go back where you are born and clean up your country before insulting the former slaves of this territory
I cant hear you!!!!!!!
They are not responsible for UK crimes, they are assigned here
Who more corrupt then them 2
He is the worse governor we have had
Please say something
U label the BVI .
I want to hare what u have to say about where u all from.
Go a head SPEAK,TALK or even CRY but say something to the people of the BVI.
When is this incompetent r*****t manchild so called ‘governor’ leaving??? Doesn’t he know he’s unwanted here, worst governor ever.
JUST LEAVE ALREADY & TAKE THAT S********T MICK WITH YOU AND DONT EVER COME BACK!!
That r****t prejudice piece ah man was quick 2 condemn & point a finger at the bvi as the biggest importer of drugs leave n out where he from.
Next time point the finger where the sun dont shine.!!!
Get him on the next fight
Secondly, I don’t believe anyone had claimed that the BVI had exclusive rights of criminality.
it is a well known fact that the UK's MP's lords and gov officials are involved in the drug trade, additionally the levels of corruption even more so than that of the USA but they are constantly trying to out best each other in that regard.
J**** is no different they all have a hand however they hid oh so well and their poker face are that of stone.
This racist need to stop trying to bully the premier
I’m not condoning drugs or their use, but Gus is using the recent drug bust in the BVI as a distraction for not apologizing. Don’t expect him to comment on the huge drug bust in the UK. When Whites engaged in illegal drug trade, the community has a social problem but when Blacks do, it is a national crisis; they are corrupt. He will hide behind Her Majesty’s frock on this too and stay mum like a bloody bloak. Hypocrite!!! Let’s have a Wings up party for him. In fact, let’s put him on a slow sail boat back to the UK to his flat. Gus is exhibiting the false notion of White privilege, entitlement, supremacy....etc. Good riddance!! He needs to go now, today, not January; January is too long. It is torturous. Keep an eye on John Rankin; birds of a feather flock together. Don’t continue to be fooled by fake smiles. People have to genuinely prove themselves to be decent and then so again.