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2 men charged following firearm & drug find

- Damian Hooper & Corey Butler jointly charged
Guyanese Damian Hooper, 23 of Huntums Ghut, has been charged with Carrying a Firearm without a License, Unlawful Possession of Explosives and Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Drug. Photo: Team of Reporters
Vincentian Corey Butler, 33 of Long Bay, West End, has been charged with Carrying a Firearm without a License, Unlawful Possession of Explosives and Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Drug. Photo: Team of Reporters
Vincentian Corey Butler, 33 of Long Bay, West End, has been charged with Carrying a Firearm without a License, Unlawful Possession of Explosives and Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Drug. Photo: Team of Reporters
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The two men held after a loaded firearm and marijuana were found following a traffic stop by police at the roundabout in Road Town, Tortola, on April 28, 2020, have been formally charged.

Guyanese Damian Hooper, 23, of Huntums Ghut and Vincentian Corey Butler, 33, of Long Bay, West End were jointly charged with Carrying a Firearm without a License, Unlawful Possession of Explosives and Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Drug.

According to the Royal Virgin Islands Police (RVIPF), the men remain in Police Custody pending their appearance in the Magistrate’s Court.

Incident

According to senior sources within the RVIPF, police stopped the vehicle when they noticed the driver suspiciously switched lanes in an attempt to avoid a police stop and search in the heart of Road Town, just after 11:00am on Tuesday, April 28, 2020.

The driver, Mr Hooper, got out of the car and ran. He was reportedly chased by police and later found hiding in the bushes at John’s Hole.

The Vincentian, Mr Butler, who remained in the vehicle, was questioned and searched.

Police allegedly found over $8,000 cash and over 13 grams of cannabis in his pocket.

A loaded pistol was reportedly found under a mat on the passenger side of the motor car.

The homes of the two men were also reportedly searched but nothing illegal was found.

78 Responses to “2 men charged following firearm & drug find”

  • deport where necessary (29/04/2020, 14:37) Like (16) Dislike (7) Reply
    2 ilun boyz
  • Dear young people (29/04/2020, 14:43) Like (32) Dislike (3) Reply
    Dear young man please take your time and positive Graham mind the drugs the guns are only destroying lives. It doesn’t only affect your life as a victim they also affect the lives of your family and your friends. The bad man lifestyle has never proven to work. If a guy have a fishing rod it’s used for fishing,if a guy is spot with a wheelbarrow it’s planning on moving something. If a person Gets hold with a gun they are planning something. Please young man please young woman get your selves together.
    • Kmori (29/04/2020, 17:11) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
      Im so sad that was my father he got my mother locked up but she came out and my two uncles got locked up too their coming out tho
  • enforcement (29/04/2020, 14:45) Like (62) Dislike (6) Reply
    Stop and search should become the norm because the dope & ammunition can only get from point A to point B by using our public highways, upstanding/law abiding residents have nothing to fear....
    • @Enforcment (29/04/2020, 15:11) Like (16) Dislike (3) Reply
      Yea more martial law ! Keep it coming !
      • Oak (29/04/2020, 18:01) Like (3) Dislike (12) Reply
        You sound so dam stupid
      • @@ enforcement (29/04/2020, 18:22) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
        More Martial Law;;hopefully one of these good days some idiot with a firearm will walk up to U and gun-butt U, then make off with your valuables: hopefully you might wake up and give thanks for the martial laws: a hand full of persons in our territory trying to make life difficult for the majority of good residents and it is shameful: up and down acting like rude boy and when Babylon role in them full speed running like a set of punk
  • Corona is to blame ! (29/04/2020, 14:45) Like (7) Dislike (18) Reply
    Blame it on corona cuz, they going let you out early! corona is why everybody dying, going jail, killing goat and everything, just say corona
  • Please.... (29/04/2020, 14:56) Like (49) Dislike (8) Reply
    AS SOON AS AIRPORT OPENS MAKE SURE THEY ARE ON THE FIRST FLIGHT!!
  • Big Slick Willie (29/04/2020, 15:03) Like (38) Dislike (2) Reply
    Confusing. Yesterday it was a seat belt violation that got these idiots stopped. And yesterday it was a loaded automatic weapon. Today it's a evasive lane change and a pistol. However one thing remains consistent. These two are absolutely stupid riding around with a weapon in these time. Didn't they know there would be police almost everywhere? And they say weed don't kill braincells. SMH. Damn. Keep these clowns locked up. Way too stupid to be in general population.
  • tretretrete (29/04/2020, 15:09) Like (21) Dislike (48) Reply
    Hear them last name them parents is island people. Them born them child here and they have that downisland blood in them. Smh
    • island girl (29/04/2020, 17:35) Like (22) Dislike (8) Reply
      Why people so concerned if those young men parents from sometimes I wonder if Tortola a state or continent is a damm island so what if they down island Tortola up island maybe they should start call ayo that up island tola people. Smh
      • Hmm (29/04/2020, 20:57) Like (14) Dislike (10) Reply
        Yea they could call us that but you don’t catch we down island living is ayo come up here to live
        • island girl (30/04/2020, 00:00) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
          Just like ayo man them does leave from up island to go down island to look woman cause ayo up island woman don’t kno how to treat them
          • No girl... (30/04/2020, 11:50) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
            We work for our own money and we don't take sh*t from anyone unlike you all.
          • lol (30/04/2020, 20:49) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
            no darling tortola woman have standards unlike ayo down island woman wha do just about ANYTHING for MONEY.....I dare you to state your name and country and lets have a convo... I shall wait..
    • jah know (01/05/2020, 12:01) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      I don't support them fools but you're a bigger fool by the way you talk, and its shameful seeing BVI ppl talk like that. BVI ppl are island ppl as well, we are considered down Island ppl as well to anyone that's WEST of us on the map.
  • Ohh god (29/04/2020, 15:10) Like (23) Dislike (13) Reply
    St Vincentian we need get rid of these island people now we done have our local criminals to deal with we don’t need no outsiders adding to it
  • @ oh god (29/04/2020, 15:11) Like (33) Dislike (8) Reply
    I think is only right for the govt to send home a lot of them who have work permit that’s not working. Send them out !!
  • WOWW (29/04/2020, 15:13) Like (47) Dislike (6) Reply
    If them don’t have money for food or rent island people need go home period why them staying around fah? Stimulas packages I think
  • trrefdrfds (29/04/2020, 15:14) Like (37) Dislike (4) Reply
    Cayman Islands done send home a lot who lose job because of the virus who was on permit I think they should do the same here
  • VI lander (29/04/2020, 15:15) Like (9) Dislike (7) Reply
    I sure them was going To kill a local
    • Don't Hate (29/04/2020, 20:17) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      You sound like you was in on the plan..yall always thinking negative everything thing in ayo head is kill...yall always looking at a small picture anyways having a gun could be fr other things...
  • upset (29/04/2020, 15:16) Like (17) Dislike (32) Reply
    I can’t stand Vincy people here at all them one of the worst out the Caribbean, Jamaicans and Haitians too
  • @ upset (29/04/2020, 15:18) Like (11) Dislike (7) Reply
    Look the amount of crime these Vincentian does commit in the BVI one a them done kill a local woman last year. I sick of them. Bvilanders you wouldn’t catch in st Vincent and even if it had to be one there we would never result in crime in another country.
    • VINCY MAN (29/04/2020, 19:23) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
      Vincentian man do not kill no tolan woman, he was just at the wrong place at the wrong time. Stop do the act and blame it on people. All I hearing is vincentian, and is a vincentian and a guyanese get caught with gun and drugs. You all have something against vincy?
      • poor thing (30/04/2020, 10:31) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
        just jealousy, we are too ambitious to them. BVIslanders have wicked hearts. They do not learn.
      • (30/04/2020, 20:13) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
        Nuff ah dem ah chat bout vincy man dis n dat bt ah dem self ah go luk dem vincy man cuz wah vincy man ah do dem worthless tola man nah do.. mi say free mi vincy padna
    • Don't Hate (29/04/2020, 20:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You could keep thinking that nobody better than the other where ever you from it will still come out to being the same thing just a different topic
  • So sad (29/04/2020, 15:19) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Wise up youths lol. I always tell Corey, y'all can have the little block I'll take the world and now the world is my playground lol
  • SHAME (29/04/2020, 15:19) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    In a time like this shame on them
  • CARPHA (29/04/2020, 15:20) Like (5) Dislike (8) Reply
    When CARPHA come here with them virus results we need strap some them island people on it send them back home
  • lol (29/04/2020, 15:21) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    I surprised them ain’t find that Vincy one with a cut lash and gramazone.
  • Ugh (29/04/2020, 15:23) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    Andrew lock back down this place them couldn’t get out to commit what ever they had plan do them had the opportunity now that we off of lockdown. God knows what they was gonna do
    • Don't Hate (29/04/2020, 20:25) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      The same thing you was going to do when you come off of lock down..go by your by ur women or man ,go shopping from got we begging,and make some money cuz if u don't then you would ain hv no where to rest ur head or have food to eat n feed ur children or fam and mk sure u got lights on..
  • voter (29/04/2020, 15:24) Like (2) Dislike (6) Reply
    Is the NDP fault. I blame them!!!
  • @ voter (29/04/2020, 15:25) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    Lol no is myron fault if he didn’t build that wall this wouldn’t of happen
  • Da Real Mcoy (29/04/2020, 15:39) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who cant hear will feel....
    SMH........
    • Don't Hate (29/04/2020, 20:27) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      Well it's a good thing you does hear becuz who knows you might be feeling it soon might and all get a bust chest
  • Hodgie=Liar (29/04/2020, 16:00) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lol somebody calling themself Hodgie in the comments yesterday lied and said it was his son and he is from here. Well the lie detector said that was not correct.
    • Yup (29/04/2020, 17:16) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
      He’s a liar using a local last name to make people think he’s a local I know he’s a island man
    • VIlander (29/04/2020, 19:18) Like (25) Dislike (2) Reply
      A lot of that happens...I would guess 75% of the "island" comments come from ppl who aren't from here but are hell bent on deceiving & sowing seeds of hatred thru the community but GOD will see & judge them.
  • Shame. (29/04/2020, 16:07) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    Pathetic little boys.
    • Don't Hate (29/04/2020, 20:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Well just mk sure your smart and not pathetic cuz it will then make u an ass
  • enforcement (29/04/2020, 16:12) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
    If you are upstanding and police ask to search your vehicle you should not have any fear: my concern is shopping with your children then some ass shows up with a gun to rob the place;
    or sitting in your business place and some fool shows with his gun and slips away with your money......as a people we should no longer condone this gun muck: you been lockdown for almost 30 days based on COVID 19: you lost your jobs based on COVID 19 the struggle is real and some idiot with a gun looks to take away the little you have
  • C19 #187love city (29/04/2020, 16:17) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Young man stay in your lane ...always wanna be round big people young punk meds smh
  • Citizen (29/04/2020, 16:49) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who is this person from Long Bay West End bring shame in the place? Let’s see his face please. He can’t be born and grown up Long Bay. Lets teach him how to can as much as the older respectable persons can.
  • VINCY MAN (29/04/2020, 18:33) Like (23) Dislike (18) Reply
    These young men born in the B.V.I, how they become vincentian and guyanese? Is where they born they from. And for all of you who talking about vincentians, just remember that vincentians don't pay rent at home and we have different options and different alternatives. And we are not living in the B.V.I for free, we pay to live. We are not goats that live on our mothers breast and can't let go. Every vincentians here in Tortola live good at home. We will never kill our selve in the airport like jamaican because we afraid to go home. We prepare to go back home when you say, because we don't need you morethan you need us. You all is to ungreatful around here. I always notice is only the homeless tolans always coming online with negative comment and negative energy, talking about people and their countries. You are no asset to your country or any contribution, so just sit down, because you don't make any sense. You all just sit down and don't work and grudge people for what they have.
    • Dedr (29/04/2020, 21:59) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      They became Vincentian and Guyanese by birth. They were both born outside the country. I worked with one and he came here in his teenage years. Please stop raising your pressure over this and creating any hatred. They just wrong for what they did.
  • West side (29/04/2020, 19:32) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    @ Vincy Man sounds like you using some serious high grade all that talk and next year this same time you right in this territory
    • VINCY MAN (29/04/2020, 21:58) Like (24) Dislike (3) Reply
      You all living and drinking knocking glass with people and as they get in a situation, you all crucified them. Remember all of you in the game together. I hope when your time comes you can rejoice. And for your comment, you need to take a trip to vincy and see how people living. The only thing the B.V.I have over vincy is the USD. So don't look down on vincentians. We are bigger than what you thought. Every nationals and people in the world migrate. But they don't migrate because they are hungry and they don't have food or they homeless. They migrate because they are seeking a better standard of living to sustain their financial needs. Does the B.V.I nationals migrate? The answer is yes. Would you like them to treat you like you treated us? Just remember a time will come when every tub will have to stand on their own bottom. If you don't understand, ask your granmother. Just look at the direction the world is heading. You all will soon need us.
  • V.I BUSINESS MAN (29/04/2020, 20:27) Like (23) Dislike (3) Reply
    First thing i want to say, I don't like these comments. We have 2 people get caught with guns money and drugs. One of them they say is Vincentian national, which i thought was B.V.Islander. On the other hand guyanese national, same thing apply. But I only hearing Vincentian in the comments. I've have been around these people for years, they have been my employee for years and I can't speak no bad about these Vincentian nationals. They are very good hard working people. Guyanese on the other hand only bringing news looking position and can't do the job. I heard you all talking about send these vincentian back home. Do you ever employ anyone who came here to work? The answer is no. Do you have any authority to move anyone from here? The answer is no. Not even the immigration have such authority to deport these people without the consent of their employer. I notice a bunch of kids coming online commenting with hatred against these nationals. I think parents should monitor their kids online, Because they are giving the country a bad image than what people really thought of us. Sometimes people really think it's we the big one's commenting,and they get really upset to read such comments coming from our nationals. After the hurricane we have looking for our own islanders to do the job so we can rebuild our country and none of them couldn't fill such positions, so we have to bring people from away to fill such position. So you see we have a bunch of talkers here, but they are of no asset to the country. We must realised that these people are of great asset to this country and our economy and we should embrace them like a brother. Without these people we can fall on our face. These people is one of the financial pillow towards our economy. They payed our taxes, they payed social security, electricity ,water ,rent ,phone bills, internet bills and they supporting our businesses etc and the list goes on. If one day they got fed up, because of how they has been treated, what would be come of us?

    • To V.I BUSINESS MAN (30/04/2020, 13:35) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
      LOL LOL you got to be a Vincy lmao. It bun you that all the comments are about Vincy LOL so you had to come and throw a little shade on the Guyanese lol But it wouldn't change the fact that Vincy are not liked...by the way, if you don't like it here, MOVE!
    • To V.I BUSINESS MAN (02/05/2020, 15:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You need rephrase your talk bout the youths giving the island ah bad name listen here nah THE PEOPLE OF THE BVI IS WHO GIVING THEM OWN COUNTRY A BAD NAME WHY BECUZ OF HATRED AND JEALOUSY AND GREED..ETC AND THE LIST GOES ON
      Some dont want you to have nothing ,,some don't like the fact that you making something of your self and some want all the power for them self and don't want to share the wealth

      We as Bvi islanders or what ever yall want to call it suppose to be sharing one culture and history it does ain't matter way ur from or whatever is how we become one but then again everybody have ah different mindset of how them view things and always sour ..SELFISH SO ALL OF THAT HERE IS WHAT GOT US DIVIDED....AND NOT A COMMUNITY WHO LOOKS OUT FOR OUR BROTHERS N SISTERS WHETHER BY BLOOD OR NOT BLOOD ONLY FOR OURSELF..and When or if that day come then every man for themself just like how them want it then them say nobody ain't try or did help um...them always coming bout every damn thing what them suppose to be complaining about them not jus complaining bout the wrong things
  • enforcement (29/04/2020, 21:38) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Deport them both if convicted.
  • Hmmmm (29/04/2020, 23:24) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    yall like play baddd mannnn take that
  • Sipping Yea (30/04/2020, 09:04) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    The funny thing is all these blogs ain’t have one BVIslander behind them. Continue trying to spread hate and cause confusion with y’all Island people talk. Bvi has embraced people from the other Islands for years and don’t have time for all this nonsense. Stop pulling Bvislanders into your little hate game.
    • To Sipping Yea (02/05/2020, 15:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Nobody ain pulling bviislanders into the hate game them done already there and is yall put um there why look at all this hateful comment umm so wat u really trying to say now tell me what u could possibly say that not there already
  • musa (30/04/2020, 13:40) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Deport asap with a red flag never to leave guyana again .
  • legal team (30/04/2020, 14:21) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Under the BVI Constitution,where you born is not necessarily where you from.

    When an incident relates to a criminal offence,the nationality of the person is not significant in the view of the law,its the facts,when applied to the law,would determine if an offence has been committed,based on the legal definition of that offence.

    Both men are innocent,until proved guilty in a court of law..

    Therefore,the presumption of innocence,is a fundamental under the BVI Constitution.

    Don't curse them,because they are alledged to have committed a criminal offence under Her Majesty's Laws.

    As it relates to nationality,I will go to the Constitution of 1976 and the replaced-Constitution Order,2007.

    Both Constitution defines who belong to the virgin islands-who is a citizen.

    According to the BVI Constitution,a person born in the BVI,from both parents,who do not belong to the virgin islands,that child does not belong either.

    If at the time of the birth,at lease one of the parent is a bvislander by birth,or naturalized,or belonger,that child belonger to the BVI as well.

    However, a person born in bvi with none belonger parents,can apply for belonger status at the age of 18.

    So for now,I am confused as to the Constutional nationality of the men.The news described them as nonebelongers.

    Born here [and not from here] or come here the penalty for fire arm is the same:Nationality is not a mitigating factor,for a criminal offence:

    The law [This ordinance may be cited as the firearms ordinance,chapter 126 of the laws of the virgin islands]
    Simple possession of a firearm.

    (a) five thousand dollar fine or five years in prison on summary conviction in magistrates's court
    (b) ten thousand dollar fine or ten years in prison on indictment,in the high court.

    for the sake of the good citizens of the bvi,JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED.

    Innocent until proved guilty.
  • musa (30/04/2020, 16:36) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Ok legal team soon you will pick them up in pcs and then you will know how innocent they are.
    • @musa (30/04/2020, 17:48) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      is that a threat?
      if someone is innocent until he go court for trial,the answer for the time pending is pick them up in pcs?lost souls.
  • legal team (30/04/2020, 17:42) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply

    [Provision to secure protection of law] A FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHT AND FREEDOM in the BVI Constitution.

    The supreme law of the land states:-

    [" (1) If any person (born here-from here-come here) If ANY person is charged with a criminal offence,then,unless the charge is withdrawn,the case SHALL be afforded a fair hearing within a reasonable time by an independent and impartial court established by LAW:-

    (2) Every person who is charged with a criminal offence SHALL-

    (a) be presumed to be innocent until he or she is PROVED guilty according to LAW"]

    Legal team did not draft or frame the BVI Constitution. It was framed by legal expert here in the BVI

    Law-lords, such as Gerrard Farara and the other legal experts frame it in 2007.We the people agreed to it.

    Legal team did not blogg to say that these men are innocent of the crime.Only a court of law witll decide that.

    Their guilt or innocence is to be determined,by a court of law,established under the BVI Constitution.

    There are many law students,in contact with legal team reading these bloggs on this democratic news site.

    We are living in a democratic society.

    Legal team would love to prosecute this case,to secure a conviction for the state,and ensure,they receive a custodial sentence,to safeguard society from any person,moving freely with a leathal barreled weapon.

    But,at this time, the presumption of innocence is a FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT, guaranteed to every person,who is charged with a criminal offence.

    Don't insult them and ridicule them,because an allegation or a charge has been preferred against them.

    Vino allowed us to blogg,because the BVI is a free and democratic society,with Freedom of EXPRESSION.

    There are countries in the world today,where communism and other socialist government would take away our freedom.

    Stop using freedom of the press to abuse people,with all these bloggs about tolians dis,and islandman dat! I am happy,it is being published,for all of us to judge our own character.because I know,in BVI,there is more ETHNIC-LOVE for each other,than any where else in the world.

    My BVI people,LOVE my expatriate people,and my expatriate people love my BVI people.stop the falsehate bloggs.

    Innocent until proved guilty is a "fundamental right and freedom of the individual,as declared by Her Majesty,the Queen,in the BVI Constitution.

    God save the Queen.
  • (30/04/2020, 20:15) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    The bag ah uno dat ah diss up d vincy man wah him do ayo? Learn fi clean ayo backyard before uno try clean fi ah nxt man.. ei laveh bodah zor eh bweh glo ah
    • WHAT!!! (01/05/2020, 11:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      If you bother to take the time to post something why not write so people can understand what the hell you are saying!!!!!!!!
  • Expat (01/05/2020, 00:20) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Dont worry wi soon gone you see money lick down font worry jesus is the answer
  • jeff (01/05/2020, 10:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    My Name ......... Is Jeff
  • Sea Cow Bay (02/05/2020, 00:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Vincy man know GOOD as well as the women to and could lies. Jamaica women is samething to and like ppl man. I know one in a supermarket in town Jamaica women she will not leave ppl man alone she working in Bobby's supermarket.
  • Bubbles (02/05/2020, 14:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    For those who took over on where who frm n who born here etc ayo good ok.really goid.
  • no nonsense (02/05/2020, 22:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We have to use the no nonsense method on these crimes!
  • Coronavirus (02/05/2020, 23:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    To much bull s@@@ and childish trash talking!!!all this for what ?we all need each other up island down island bulls@@@ stop it ....it a life that some off we chosen .some time u get catch doing it .is it a bad thing ?yes if u ask me but at the end off the day we all have a life to live but some time we take the wrong part that all .stop all the hating jah love



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