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Customs swoop down on Marina for audit

- Commissioner of Customs Wade Smith said one charter company based at Hodge’s Creek Marina is the focus of a deeper investigation
According to Commissioner of Customs Wade Smith, one charter company is on Customs' radar and investigations are ongoing. Photo: VINO
The search took place during a compliance audit by the Customs Department at Hodge's Creek Marina. Photo: VINO
The search took place during a compliance audit by the Customs Department at Hodge's Creek Marina. Photo: VINO
One of the vessels which Customs Officers boarded this morning June 14, 2016. Photo: VINO
One of the vessels which Customs Officers boarded this morning June 14, 2016. Photo: VINO
HODGE’S CREEK, Tortola, VI - Officials and ranks of Her Majesty’s Customs today June 14, 2016 swooped down on the Hodge’s Creek Marina and conducted checks and compliance audits of several charter and boating companies, as ongoing investigations continue.

Acting on a tip from a source, this news site went to the marina and staked out as the Customs officials eventually came and held discussions with the management of the Hodge’s Creek Marina.

While some boats at the Marina were searched by the ranks and officials, none of them was actually seized whereby Customs tape is placed on it.

Among the officials on premises was Commissioner of Customs Wade Smith.

In a comment to this news site, Mr Smith said they were there to do compliance audits and that no boat had been seized since investigations were still ongoing.

He said the audits did not just concern the Customs laws and regulations but those of other Government agencies such as Immigration, Conservation and Fisheries and the Labour Department.

“We are here to do some compliance audits [as we have been doing at the various marinas and charter companies] to make sure that they are in compliance with all of the Customs regulations and to make sure that they are paying the appropriate fees for cruises, National Park fees, cruising permits, commercial licences, making sure that they are up to date,” he said.

Charter company the focus of Customs probe

However, one company was on the Customs’ radar during the operation, according to Smith.

“Right now there is a company which I can’t disclose the name of the company yet...we are monitoring this company right now to ensure full compliance. An investigation is currently ongoing right now,” he said.

Smith said the company has several boats which are usually docked at the Hodge’s Creek Marina and that several of them were at sea while some of them were in port. He said this company has more than 12 boats on which Customs has its focus on.

Smith said that the compliance checks have been happening at other marinas also. “The Marine Task Force [of Customs] do various compliance checks at all of the marinas, not only on Tortola but in Virgin Gorda, to make sure that charter companies are in compliance,” he said.

“There is a number of charter agencies whom we found have been giving incorrect information to their clients, they have been in violation and a number of them have been penalised. We are encouraging them that if they have any questions to call the Customs Department. We are open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and we are always there to meet and advise,” said Smith.

He stressed that agents who are managing agencies or acting on behalf of clients who own boats need to make sure that they are well versed in the Customs legislation in order to properly advise their clients appropriately. “Because we found that a number of the agents have been misinforming their clients in order to circumvent the laws of the Virgin Islands and because of that substantial penalties have been levied and we continue to publicise and inform the industry that they need to ensure that they are in full compliance,” Smith said.

19 Responses to “Customs swoop down on Marina for audit”

  • lily (14/06/2016, 13:44) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good job. It is high time. When is Labour going to start doing this?
  • wize up (14/06/2016, 14:12) Like (16) Dislike (2) Reply
    How sweet it is: this is what is need throughout the territory; it is simply executing the laws of this land and who vex, vex(how sweet it is !!!!!)
  • well done (14/06/2016, 14:33) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    Someone has to step up and do what is necessary.
  • justice for all (14/06/2016, 14:35) Like (23) Dislike (10) Reply
    Good work wade as the white owned companies getting away with not paying millions and ndp here taxing the poor man
    • wize up (14/06/2016, 18:13) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ justice for all: What a true blog and it has nothing to do with being a racist. It is speaking frankly about the current conditions in this place
    • Task Force (14/06/2016, 19:43) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      Why doesn't BVI investment club start a charter company and keep the money local? Aren't these "our" islands? Why can't we benefit from it? FUBU (for us, by us)
      • vick (14/06/2016, 21:19) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
        do you really think that your "brothers"from the investment club will share the profit with you?.
        • SHUT UP (15/06/2016, 05:36) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
          It doesn't matter. I am not begging them for anything. I have my share already. Just as long as the money stays local.
    • Winston (14/06/2016, 20:41) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
      Mentality and comments like yours will ensure that everyone in the BVI ( white or black ) will remain " poor man ".
  • duh! (14/06/2016, 15:08) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
    They need to check on all those day trippers coming in from St. Thomas and St. John. Claiming only friends and family on board with a bin full of passports and not a person in sight.
  • one eye (14/06/2016, 15:39) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Tis bount time dem do what we payin dem for
  • Task Force (14/06/2016, 17:52) Like (30) Dislike (3) Reply
    I hope that people realize that the charter industry is what is keeping the BVI afloat presently! All of the millions of $$$ VIP collected over the years from offshore banking fed NO ONE. The charter industry in the BVI has the ferry's afloat, taxis, super markets, boat yards, laundromats, the individuals that do boat repairs and have yacht management companies etc...etc. Not to mention all the business on the outer islands that depend solely on the charter industry. Little dix, Biras Creek, CLOSED, YCCS closed for renovation.Food for thought people
  • dog (14/06/2016, 22:35) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    HOPE THEY INVESTIGATE NANNY CAY AND THE ONE ON FRENCE MAN CAY NEXT
  • VG (14/06/2016, 23:51) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Check oil nut bay next lots of mysterious acts going up there
  • be (15/06/2016, 11:50) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Great Job VINO!!!!!!!!!
  • knife wounds in the back (16/06/2016, 16:30) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thiefs minding the theifs!


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