Duo caught with nearly $1M hauled before court
The men, Dominican Republic national and Virgin Islands resident, Alberto Campusano Valera and his co-accused Kemel Stefon Wilson from St Thomas, US Virgin Islands (US) were charged jointly with Possession of Proceeds of Criminal Conduct, Failing to declare monies to Her Majesty’s Customs, Failing to comply with an Order and Illegal Entry.
Valera was not made to plea during his first appearance, but Wilson entered not guilty pleas to all the charges.
Allegations
Prosecutor Annjel X. Flax said, on June 16, 2020, the Joint Task Force (JTF), was in the vicinity of Tobago Island when law enforcement officers saw a blue and white go-fast vessel coming from the direction of St John and heading towards Great Thatch Island.
Flax said the boat was placed under observation and officers stated they observed that the boat was heading to Jost van Dyke; however, when the occupants realised they were being pursued, they headed to Smugglers Cove, on Tortola.
The Prosecutor said, the authorities gave chase for about seven minutes, while using their sirens and ordering the boat to stop, but they failed to comply with the order.
She said, when law enforcement officials realised that the boat was not slowing down, they forced it to stop using various manoeuvres.
Cash
When the officers boarded the boat, they conducted a search and found two black duffle bags containing large sums of cash in clear, vacuum-sealed bags with a green lining.
They also found a cable in a pocket in one of the bags, and Valera allegedly said it was ‘mine,” but the cash they denied having ownership.
The men were later taken into the police boat, with their boat in tow, and were brought to the Police Marine Base where the Financial Crime Investigations Unit and Scenes of Crime Unit processed the boat and took the cash into custody in evidence bags.
When the money was counted, it was $804,306 in US currency, in various denominations.
Bail, Remand
Prosecutor Flax said she was objecting to bail for Wilson, but did not object to bail for his co-accused Valera, who was determined to have strong ties to the VI.
Conditions of his bail include: a 6:00 am to 6:00 pm curfew, visiting the Road Town Police Station between 6:00 am to 12:00 pm every day and surrendering all his travel documents.
Valera, 37, who has lived in the Virgin Islands for more than 10 years, has work permit exemption, and is married to a Belonger, is also not allowed to visit the beaches, or even travel to one of the sister islands.
Members of the Police force will also be making random stops at his home to check on his compliance, Magistrate Richards said.
Wilson was placed on remand at Her Majesty’s Prison.
Attorney Mr E. Leroy Jones, who represents Valera, has said his client was a suitable candidate for bail and that he had seen the court grant pail to persons on guns and ammunition charges and that no such charges were against his client.
Attorney Mr Stephen R. Daniels represents Wilson, a boat captain.
The matter will continue on July 28, 2020.
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15 Responses to “Duo caught with nearly $1M hauled before court”
No respect! Married to a Belonger, was able to be work permit exempt, living here 10 years, and this is how he allegedly repays the BVI? He has $100,000 to put 1/2 bail and someone will give $100,000 sureties? Where is all of this money coming from, and who is this guy?????
nobody knows GOSH !! as you are so perfect I don't care now.
Thing to talk