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Davis brothers remanded to prison after major cocaine & firearm bust

- denied bail when they appeared in Magistrate’s Court on November 10, 2020
Darren Davis, left, and Leston Davis at the Magistrate's Court in John's Hole on November 10, 2020. Photo: VINO
The two brothers, Leston and Darren Davis, arrested following a major drug bust in Balsam Ghut, Tortola, on Friday, November 6, 2020, were denied bail when they made a first appearance at the Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, November 10, 2020. Photo: VINO/File
The two brothers, Leston and Darren Davis, arrested following a major drug bust in Balsam Ghut, Tortola, on Friday, November 6, 2020, were denied bail when they made a first appearance at the Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, November 10, 2020. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The two brothers arrested following a major drug bust in Balsam Ghut, Tortola, on Friday, November 6, 2020, were denied bail when they made a first appearance at the Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, November 10, 2020.

Belongers Mr Leston Davis, 40, a former police officer and a resident of Tortola and Mr Darren Davis, 41, also a resident of Tortola and a police officer in the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), are jointly charged with 3 counts of Possession of Illegal Drugs with Intent to Supply; 1 count of Keeping a Firearm Without a License and 1 count of Possession of a Prohibited Firearm.

The charges for Possession of Illegal Drugs with Intent to Supply are for 23.70 kilos found in a red Ford Explorer; 159.04 kilos found in a white Bedford truck, and 2170.84 kilos found in a container.

The two loaded firearms, a Glock Taurus with magazine and one MWG Rifle with one magazine, were allegedly found in a black garbage bag in the container where the drugs were found.

Allegations

Director of Public Prosecutions, Mrs Tiffany R. Scatliffe-Esprit said the bust and arrests were made following ongoing investigations on drug smuggling operations in the territory.

She said on Nov 6, 2020, the special investigations unit conducted an operation at Balsam Ghut at the property owned by the mother of the two accused.

Officers surrounded the area from a far distance and were looking on for hours before moving in with a search warrant.

The men being observed fled the scene; however, by running into nearby bushes.

The drugs and firearm were found following a search.

One of the vehicles observed being used by one of the men who fled was found to be registered to the mother of the Davis brothers. Both license and registration were expired.

A rental vehicle left behind by the men was also searched and a bunch of keys found. When police obtained information about the renter they visited the home of the individual who was not at home at the time but they key found in the rental vehicle opened the house doors, and also opened the container where cocaine was allegedly found at Balsam Ghut.

The name of the individual was not disclosed.

When police traced the owner of the Bedford truck he told police he was a good friend of Leston Davis and had lent him the truck the day prior to dispose of garbage. He said he learnt of the drug bust the following day and when he called Mr Leston Davis his phone went unanswered.

According to the Prosecution, police visited the Pockwood Pond home of Leston Davis on November 8, 2020, and arrested him. They said Leston, a boat captain of a fast ferry service who has resided in the Territory for more than 30 years, has refused to cooperate with police.

Officer Darren was arrested at his home in Cane Garden Bay on Monday, November 9, 2020. He told police that on the day in question he was bar hopping and had no knowledge of the operation.

Denied bail

Leston Davis, who was dismissed from the RVIPF some years ago, according to information revealed in court, was represented by Attorney Mary Lou Creque, who said her client had no previous incidents with the law and requested bail on several grounds, including that Davis was not a flight risk.

Officer Darren was represented by Reynella Rawlins, who said a police is not usually a liked individual in prison and his safety could be jeopardised.

Magistrate Christilyn Benjamin; however, said there have been many instances prior where police imprisoned had seen special arrangements put in place to ensure their safety and that similar can be done in this case.

The DPP had said should the magistrate consider bail it should amount to 10% of the net worth of guns and drugs.

Magistrate Benjamin noted; however, that there was nothing she could put in place to guarantee the two returning to court, considering that they had access to such large quantity of drugs and dangerous firearms and she had no doubt they have access to other means to flee the jurisdiction even if they were required to surrender travel documents.

She also said bail could hinder the investigations as there are still a number of known individuals at large.

The two men will return to court on January 27, 2021, for report.

32 Responses to “Davis brothers remanded to prison after major cocaine & firearm bust”

  • one eye (11/11/2020, 08:31) Like (1) Dislike (24) Reply
    Free the weed
  • crazy (11/11/2020, 08:44) Like (44) Dislike (1) Reply
    We shouldn't act surprised because drug smuggling is nothing new in the BVI. Our borders have gone unsecured for DECADES and rather than try to secure them, the government turned a blind eye. Our biggest import seem to be drugs and guns SMH.
    • tretretrete (11/11/2020, 10:11) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Suit them fine criminals
    • Hmm (11/11/2020, 14:28) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
      Even if this is how you feel I wonder if you understand the picture you are painting internationally not only locals and residents read this
  • BVI (11/11/2020, 08:52) Like (66) Dislike (3) Reply
    What kind of security we have at our courts, COP talks about impartiality, but look here these guys are allowed to walk freely without handcuffs. If they were not associated with the police force they wouldn't have been lockdown in foot and handcuffs. This is clear favoritism by the police.
    • @ CRAZY (11/11/2020, 09:50) Like (20) Dislike (2) Reply
      I am saying the same thing to what is really going on. These guys walking out of the court like the investigators. The uk sun need to put this out to.
  • jokes (11/11/2020, 09:13) Like (63) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why are they hiding their faces When they know they are not good at hiding stuff
  • Instigator (11/11/2020, 09:46) Like (43) Dislike (7) Reply
    The stuff was found on their mother's property and vehicle. Shouldn't she be charged as well?
  • True (11/11/2020, 09:47) Like (38) Dislike (3) Reply
    Once scentenced and they are guilty as sin they must be deported,they do not comefromthe BVI they are only belongers and this can be withdrawn like it was before due to criminal activity.

  • hello (11/11/2020, 09:53) Like (27) Dislike (5) Reply
    These $Davis brothers is from here ok people they came here and get belonger status just like many of you. The police force knows for yrs that they are involved in criminal activities. To what extent i dont think that know that. One was fired from the force because of criminal activity.
    • @hello (11/11/2020, 11:31) Like (18) Dislike (6) Reply
      YES, the whole POLICE FORCE KNEW WHAT THE RATS WERE DOING. THE POLICE FORCE COVER UP WHAT THEY WERE DOING. COMISH, YOUR FORCE OF SEWER RATS POLICE FROM EAST TO WEST KNEW WHAT WAS GOING ON. I HAVE NO RESPECT FOR THE POLICE ON THIS ISLAND. THE ONLY THING I WOULD DO AS A CITIZEN IS HAWK AND SPIT IN THE FACES OF THESE DISGRACE YOU CALL POLICE IN THE BVI. THEY ARE THE TRUE CRIMINALS. MANY PEOPLE IS SIX FEET UNDER BECAUSE OF THE POLICE IN THE BVI.
    • @hello (13/11/2020, 11:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      and they will be deported after their sentence if they are jailedas they are Belongers not BVIslanders
  • Anne (11/11/2020, 10:56) Like (30) Dislike (2) Reply
    Brothers mother friends All how have part in it need to go to jail for life..these people no what goning on a long time .This is y we have so mush killing for money drug and guns.coming in to the bvi.
  • All of them (11/11/2020, 11:22) Like (23) Dislike (2) Reply
    MOTHER, FATHER, SISTERS, THEY ALL NEED TO BE SITTING IN PRISON. THEIR WHOLE DAMN FAMILY KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON. SHOW NO DAMN MERCY. LOCK THEM ALL UP.
    • Agree (11/11/2020, 12:30) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
      They came to " build us up" Kittitian style.
      Yep the only way a specific demographic can function but we keep adding them to our roster for greed. Greed for Power via a vote.
    • ALSO (11/11/2020, 14:12) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
      SIEZE EVERYTHING HOUSE, MONEY, BANK ACCOUNTS ETC.....
  • Pistol aficionado (11/11/2020, 11:42) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Didn’t Glock and Taurus merged.
  • lol (11/11/2020, 11:54) Like (16) Dislike (4) Reply
    All them police officers does do drug ain’t nttn to hide
  • ...... (11/11/2020, 12:10) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    reynella again lawdy....
  • WHAT!!!! (11/11/2020, 12:10) Like (26) Dislike (2) Reply
    Well done all officers involved BUT if the area was surrounded how come people escaped? This is not the first time raids have taken place and suspects able to run away.
  • Well Sir (11/11/2020, 13:45) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Look at that d people who sopose to protect highly involved in mis no wander such thing going on right now shame on that cop customer needs to investigate as well
  • u (11/11/2020, 13:58) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    The love of money and greed selfishness take over this letter country we call nature's little secret
  • tretretrete (11/11/2020, 13:58) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    Yes let admit it and it goes all the way up to deputies of commissioner of police for all these donkeys year and
  • Time is longer than Twine (11/11/2020, 14:44) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply

    I agree with the Magistrate by not granting Bail to neither of them. Your reasons are on the Ball. The Police Officer been in the Force long enough to know that when anyone, including himself get caught up with Drugs & Guns that Prison Time is a part of it at some point or another once they continue dealing with them.
    He should have thought about his safety being in Prison before allegedly getting involve with Illegal Activities. What a shame. Mother, didn't you tell your sons that only two (2) things come out of Drugs & Guns? "DEATH OR PRISON TIME."

  • Me (11/11/2020, 14:53) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why are there no handcuffs on?
  • my brother (11/11/2020, 17:48) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Stop bail peoples when they do wrong thing. Or you just like them. To.
  • Why (11/11/2020, 19:03) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hideing there face it's make now seance every one knows u all
  • Policing ? (12/11/2020, 13:16) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Got to be kidding. pictures of our two perps talking with each other getting their alibis straight, one talking on a cell phone, neither handcuffed. Mathews you need to look into your arrest procedures ! No wonder prosecution can't win in court


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