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5 vessels detained by HM Customs in 2 days

- as operation against companies violating Customs & Immigration laws motors on
Four of the five vessels were detained in the Village Cay area. Photo: VINO/File
Commissioner of Customs, Mr Wade Smith said five vessels were detained by HM Customs on Tuesday July 19, 2016 and Wednesday July 20, 2016 at two locations on Tortola. Photo: VINO/File
Commissioner of Customs, Mr Wade Smith said five vessels were detained by HM Customs on Tuesday July 19, 2016 and Wednesday July 20, 2016 at two locations on Tortola. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- As the operation against charter companies and vessel operators violating Customs and Immigration laws continues, some five vessels were detained within two days this week.

Reports reaching Virgin Islands News Online stated that vessels were detained by HM Customs on Tuesday July 19, 2016 and Wednesday July 20, 2016 at two locations on Tortola.

This information was subsequently confirmed by Commissoner of Customs, Mr Wade Smith.

"Between Tuesday and Wednesay, a total of five boats have been detained, four in the Village Cay area and one in Soper's Hole," Mr Smith stated.

According to the Commissioner of Customs, the vessels appeared to be in violation of the Commercial Recreational Vessels Licensing Act, cruising without a license and cruising without a permit.

"We are still investigating the matter so they are currently detained, so yes your information is true," Mr Smith confirmed.

Operation has been yielding results

Ever since HM Customs heightened its operations against defaulting ‎companies, boat captains and other vessel operators, several fines have been meted out.

Last month a charter company was lapped with a $95,000 fine while another, a “big charter company” was fined $25, 000.

Mr Smith previously said that over the past six months there have been a number of charter agencies and persons acting as agents for charter companies that were put on the firing line and charged, having been found defaulting in their compliances also.

23 Responses to “5 vessels detained by HM Customs in 2 days”

  • . (21/07/2016, 14:52) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Keep counting.
  • Treasury (21/07/2016, 15:22) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    How much revenue has been lost from these breaches in the last 5 years and what would it pay for?
  • caucasians (21/07/2016, 15:52) Like (14) Dislike (9) Reply
    The UK will soon have a replacement for him.
  • Me Like (21/07/2016, 16:10) Like (28) Dislike (2) Reply
    This man is doing his job now just imagine if every Ministry was like this we would walk the streets of gold.
  • Racketeer (21/07/2016, 16:19) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    Customs = Shakedown artists!
  • Snopes (21/07/2016, 16:22) Like (21) Dislike (4) Reply
    Is the story true that Customs has been so busy because they lost the court appeal for grabbing the Delta fuel, and now they have to pay for it?
  • ccc (21/07/2016, 16:49) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wade not playing
  • wow (21/07/2016, 18:53) Like (10) Dislike (5) Reply
    government broke now so they trying to squeeze blood out of stone
  • candy (21/07/2016, 20:32) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    so because them broke the company they find away now to harass these charter companies for $$$$$$ struppsss
  • Intelligence (21/07/2016, 21:53) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
    like to see them detain and fine the US gov't surveilleance boat that hangs near west end. you can even pick that
    one up on your wifi. fine them a billion dollars and then sink the sherlocks.
    • Struggling Man (22/07/2016, 01:34) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Intelligence, the wifi you are picking up is a somebody living in the area used this name. Think about it.....if these authorities are operating in the area are they going to use this name ?
      • it was me (27/07/2016, 09:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        LOL...that's MY Wifi. I change the name on a regular basis. Some days I name it DEA surveillance boat number one and some days I name it something else....LOL
  • limit (21/07/2016, 22:28) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    wa bout all dem fishing boat that leave ret hook 4 day morning comes up on da north of us does not clear custom and head 300 miles off anegada yo no we cant go round us water with dem foolishness
  • soo (21/07/2016, 22:40) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Candy you sound like an uneducated fool.
  • Street reporter Bull. (22/07/2016, 06:38) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    This in my view this is bull.. Almost seems to me like harassment, What happens to discretion and warning. Let the people enjoy their lives and the beautiful waters then encourage their friends and family to come..Most people who come here come by an association ivitation not by tourist board.. This kind of action have long term negative impact.
  • east (22/07/2016, 06:45) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    What about the drugs and stuff found close to parham town east end , when will that it news sites????
  • Me (22/07/2016, 07:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    the warning in the law
  • i from here (22/07/2016, 08:39) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    Finally we arresting these white guys for breaking our laws!
    • The Kong! (22/07/2016, 13:38) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      Racist Chop!!!
    • Hypocrisy (22/07/2016, 16:19) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Wouldn't we all like to see ALL residents of the Virgin Islands obey and be subject to the laws written for them?


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