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Exclusive: Jack & Erickson allege evidence of corruption in drug trial

Jomo Jack (left) and Hugh Erickson have alleged that there is some corruption involved in their trial. Photo: VINO/Facebook/File
Some of the blocks of cocaine that the duo allege have been duplicated by investigators in their trial. Photos at bottom right and bottom left are allegedly duplicated with different markings. Image: supplied
Some of the blocks of cocaine that the duo allege have been duplicated by investigators in their trial. Photos at bottom right and bottom left are allegedly duplicated with different markings. Image: supplied
More blocks of cocaine allegedly duplicated by investigators in the trial of the Jack and Erickson. Image: supplied
More blocks of cocaine allegedly duplicated by investigators in the trial of the Jack and Erickson. Image: supplied
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Two men accused of being involved in a drug and money laundering conspiracy have contended that there have been errors in their trial and are alleging police corruption with claims of the removal of some of the evidence.

In an exclusive interview from Her Majesty's Prison (HMP) at Balsam Ghut, the two men, Vincentian Jomo Jack and VIslander Hugh ‘Chris’ Erickson, said the evidence in support of their claims, which were initially made at the Magistrate’s court on November 8, 2013 is clearly seen from the photos presented as evidence in their trial which has since been quashed.

The two men are currently unrepresented and their trial is scheduled to be restarted early next year.

The accused in the alleged conspiracy include James Telesforde John, a 62-year-old captain from Tortola, who is facing charges of unlawful importation of cocaine 114 kg; possession of the proceeds of criminal conduct ($391,780); possession of the proceeds of criminal conduct ($178,060); possession of proceeds of criminal conduct ($81,585); and unlawful possession of cocaine with intent to supply.

Jomo Jack and Leon King, were jointly charged with possession of the proceeds of criminal conduct ($178,060), with Hugh Erickson and Gerry Freeman also facing a joint charge of possession of proceeds of criminal conduct ($37,040.25).

It is alleged that on August 10, 2012, in Road Town, in the vicinity of the Government Complex, officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force observed and arrested the five men who were suspected to have drugs in their possession.

Upon their arrest, the court was informed that officers recovered over $688,000 in cash and around 114 kilos of cocaine, with the street value estimated to be $11.4 million.

Erickson and Jack have alleged that there are several missing blocks of cocaine based on the photographs when compared with a schedule attached to their documentation.

They alleged that several blocks of cocaine have been duplicated in the photographs and this clearly shows that there is corruption involved. The duo further alleges that there has been a misrepresentation in the total quantity of cocaine.

Jack had requested a dismissal of their case on November 8, 2013 but was told by Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards that this could not be done and an application would need to be made for bail or dismissal before another magistrate when the matter comes up again for report. Both men have also stated they do not wish to have their trial restarted as it allegedly gives the prosecution time to correct errors made in the case.

When contacted about the allegations of corruption, Acting Police Information Officer, Sergeant Carl Mason said the Police would not normally respond to allegations made by a defendant and have no comments to make in this instance. Efforts to contact Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Wayne Rajbansie, proved unsuccessful up to post time. 

The men are due to return to court on January 17, 2014.

55 Responses to “Exclusive: Jack & Erickson allege evidence of corruption in drug trial”

  • Claxton (15/11/2013, 09:19) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply

    Let them to sit down on their backsides.

  • S.R. (15/11/2013, 09:21) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
    There is a culture of corruption just read the auditor general report on the ports project
  • History (15/11/2013, 09:32) Like (10) Dislike (15) Reply
    i never trust the police under Morris now with Jmes as no 2 its trouble
  • Lawful (15/11/2013, 10:07) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    If you going bring man to justice for an illegal act charge him for his right illegal NO SHORT CUTS!!!!

    ridiculous this the same thing that happen with a white man couple years back and they had to throw out the case because he was going raise hell for all his illegal possessions not being accounted for in the trial
  • G'z Up (15/11/2013, 10:13) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    They may have a point but the fact still remain that they are still linked to drug dealing(s). If they could have avoid being accused in that operation all together then it would be very good on their part. Anyways this is an interesting case. Lets see how the jury and Judge will view all the available evidence.
  • ---------------- (15/11/2013, 10:45) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    There are so many more cases like this one we need to keep speaking out!!!!
  • Elliot Ness (15/11/2013, 11:05) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    U all bloggers sound like IDIOTS
    • Yes (15/11/2013, 13:37) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
      Glad to know you're apart of the idiotic clan because you're a blogger too! SMH
  • The Watcher (15/11/2013, 11:10) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    Just like the bob and chad dem case they need to let Chris and jack go!!!!! too much blatant injustice and human rights abuses in tis lit place...After training so many lawyers where are they to protect the rights of the people?
  • West side (15/11/2013, 11:40) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    NO JUSTICE NO PEACE
  • please (15/11/2013, 12:05) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    Part of forensics is taking duplicate picture of evidence. The defendant is saying that they are showing the same picture more than once, but he is in the same breath saying that there are still some parcels unaccounted for in the pictures. If he is looking for the case to be thrown out on a technicality of the same picture being used twice, doesn't the fact that he inadvertently says that he knows about the quantity of drugs that are missing account for his guilt? They are trying everything to get this case thrown out, watch!!!
    • . (15/11/2013, 13:29) Like (13) Dislike (4) Reply
      dem showing how dutty the cop them is
      • cat walk (15/11/2013, 18:21) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
        This is how the governement and legal system operates, if they were to lead the BVI to hell some would be happy to be led their because the goverment and crown say hell is good, then it must be good.

    • jus say (18/11/2013, 11:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      If your goin to lock up a person for comitting a crime that the LAW FINDS ILLEGAL,wouldnt you want to have the best supporting evidence to put them away?? now if the evidence is tampered with then your case is AUTOMATICALLY WEAKEND.... if it was me, i would want to go jail for all my incriminating evidence not some,and know the exact reason why im serving my jail time,and the police keep some,lol caz then they want the same lifestyle im living if they are stealing the evidence... jus sayin
  • Ghost (15/11/2013, 13:05) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    The duplicate of the same pics which is sopposed to be a different exhibit , is clearly an indication of corruption and an abuse of process for the prosecution even to know this and hav the men awaiting trial , let dem go , lock the police up instead
  • wise up (15/11/2013, 13:11) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    that is nothing new; those drug squad police boys and those undercover police do want they want with the dope.
  • one side (15/11/2013, 13:38) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    there is two sides to every story now let's hear the police side
  • Liane (15/11/2013, 14:41) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why is everyone only too happy to jump on the police? If you look at the photos carefully, yes there are duplicates but the evidence numbers and all other markings are unchanged. They are just duplicate photos. What's the big deal?

    I see no evidence of corruption there!
    • hard times (15/11/2013, 17:04) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Exactly. Two photos taken twice with the addition of somebody's initials, so what. Jack alleged 5 kilos missing, so put up or shut up. 116 photos minus 2 duplicates equals 114 blocks, which is what the charge refers to.

      This is the problem with trying to represent oneself with no head for maths or common sense.
    • police (15/11/2013, 21:20) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply

      Thank you for telling those clowns, i cant see how they didnt realise that, they just running their mouth as usual, look at the markings people, thats the most important thing, thats how the evidence has to be identified, all you want case dismissed, in all you dreams.

    • wolfe (16/11/2013, 08:31) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      @Liane take a good look again and us a magnifier, for it looks like you cannot see to clearly
  • cconcern (15/11/2013, 16:20) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    We want to here the prosecution answer to this ; why they cannot response , let dem go wendell ballentyne where is the crime scene investigator and the white man from london
  • The Law (15/11/2013, 17:07) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Do Jack and Errickson know that if an allegation of bad character is made against a Police Officer, then the prosecution are entitled to raise the defendants character in court too. I hope they are of good character, otherwise they will shoot themselves in the foot, and that can be painful when facing such serious charges.
  • thugg (15/11/2013, 17:43) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    When the same individual pic is use for 2 exhibits , its out rite corruption , the dpp needs to answer , I wanna hear there side to this , let the pple them go , why are the pple not responding to this , u all need to respond , I wanna hear
  • police officer from west end (15/11/2013, 18:09) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    This one needs a commission of inquiry
  • Really (15/11/2013, 18:32) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Are you volunteering. No, thought not.
  • blaze (15/11/2013, 19:01) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Let's here the dpp response , when u gonna let the men dem go ? Its evident that 2 exhibit were use on the same block , and only to cover up why someone will do such thing , so the police dem nowadays building big house from drug money , I need to hear the response from the dpp and police commissioner defending againts this one , cause there no way out this time , let's know the police who is responsible for this action
  • patrick (15/11/2013, 19:14) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    Mr commissioner we want to know the names of the police men that are involve , we need answers and that's our rite to know who we have in our police force , it don't make no sense proceeding againts these men when the evidence has been compromised , am sure this case has no where to go , the police force should be transparent
  • Soldier (15/11/2013, 19:31) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Mea son , this one seems to be true , no response from the authorities , and why are these pple still @ balo , guess soon we'll hear who get suspend , but the persons initial on it have to know what's going onn , free the man them , you all to wicked its an embarassment & shame on these police men , greed will always be someone downfall
  • World boss (15/11/2013, 19:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    How can these men have a fair trial when the evidence has been tampered with, this is a sure dismissal , who is the leading investigator in this case , he sure have to know about what's happening , the police need to hav a press conference to answer the questions of the public and give account of the situation at hand and state a commission of enquiry
  • Legal team and the Constitution (15/11/2013, 19:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Usually,when matters of such are debated upon on this Free and Democratic News Site in Free and Democratic BVI,I would just read the bloggs of the the bloggers enjoying Freedon on VINO:

    But the Topic is rather interesting,but because I do not have the full facts,I will reserve my comments:

    But from a Humanitarian perspective,let me take a read of the Virgin Islands Constitution.
    let me see and read what Her Majesty-The Queen bestowed upon Her Citizens and residents,under the JUSTICE SYSTEM:

    I believe in the proverb, ""if you do the crime you must do the time"".

    And I also believe in the proverb ""justice delayed is justice denied"".

    The V.I Constitution makes provisions in section 16,to ensure that Justice is not delayed!

    Section 16 of V.I Constitution-[Provisions to secure protection of law:-]

    Section 16 (1) of the V.I CONSTITUTION ORDER, of 2007, States:-

    ""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 acriminal offence SHALL-

    (a) BE PRESUMED TO BE INNOCENT, until he or she is PROVED GUILTY according to law"".

    So; Her Majesty's Supreme Law-The V.I Constitution, advises me above,that ""a person is innocent until proved guilty in a court of law"".

    Because I have so much respect for Her Majesty's Constitution,I will not comment on the status of these men,because they were not found guilty in a court of law,as declared by the V.I Constitution.

    Hope you all get a FAIR trial,according to BVI LAW.
  • BRAVEHEART# (15/11/2013, 21:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why does it really seems like the integrity of our Police force Hav gone to the drain , its a shame that these very island police man make our force look bad , taking things from evidence room stop all of them from work who have anything to do with this , look of the k9 situation we hear few weeks back , are the police not being paid enough , or the drugs help them live lavish life style
  • man from east (15/11/2013, 21:49) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Meah son , well well I kno this going on long time with these policemen , why only now are we speaking out , in fact I kno of 2 of them that talk about this in bars after they drunk , whem they do foolishness to people,
  • Taxi Man (15/11/2013, 23:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Free the men them , police to thief it will be interesting to know who behind it. Maybe those high ranking from overseas , we are waiting to know commissioner statement on this , Mr dpp don't think u are excluded from this , even u have to tell us the truth of the document , why can't this force be transparent . Tell us there names
  • legal team (16/11/2013, 09:02) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    We had the opportunity to overlook the document and indeed [ Exhibit 0023/2012 CAC/5 and Exhibit 0023/2012 WB/13 is indeed the same block , and this is a breach of duty by these police officers , but they could have waited On trial , either way the dpp have to withdraw the charges as it is clear this is an abuse of process , these men will be free soon , its ashame that the RIVPF have to come to this , these men in no way can have a fair trial with all this , its a clear dismissal .
  • Real Talk (16/11/2013, 11:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    These cats need an attorney to close the deal with the prosecution and the attorney general chambers and then they are free to walk , without an attorney it would be just talk , but I know of situation where this very issue happen before and no doubt that this is the case this situation will put a stop to this , even the police need to be monitored how about that ?
  • island man (16/11/2013, 13:42) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply

    There was always suspicion around this case , why this case could not finish when the magistrate have a lot of time remaining and only 2days left for trial , so tax payers money going down the drain just to correct prosecution errors , this case was plan from others to try secure conviction , guess all that through the door now , them policemen want big houses on the hill , maybe we can increase there salary.

  • foxy (16/11/2013, 14:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We need to get the full facts on this for I believe Chris
  • The real legal team (16/11/2013, 19:10) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    It's 6.30pm Eastern Caribbean,or 11.30 London-UK time:

    Vino,I am pleased to see that another blogger on your free and democratic news site,is also using the blogg-name ""Legal Team"" to make his/her point. But I am the Confessed Legal Team,and I use that bloggname, along with my known name sometimes,because I have told my family,relatives and friends in the BVI,that I grew up in law,I believe in Justice for all,and The V.I Constitution declared in section 23,that persons have a right to free speech and expression.

    The [real Legal Team] ,is a freelance reporter,who studied Litigation and evidence,at the University of the West Indies-School of Continuing Studies: I blogg on law: I don't about individual person.

    But as you know,the [real Legal Team] ,always blogg on the law and on facts the the team witnessed personally.I want to see the Evidence right before me,but an allegation,MUST be investiagted....

    To The person who continue to blogg as ""Legal Team""I commend you for your comments,but when the readers will have read this blogg from the [real Legal Team] ,they will realise who is the "[Real Legal Team]

    Let us now look at a Topic in [Laws of Evidence] which is called the [Burden and Standard of Proof] in Criminal Proceedings.They are as follow-

    1.The Burden of proof

    2.The legal Burden

    3.The evidential Burden

    An important note to the Director of Public Prosecutions:

    Legal Lectures on Criminal Procedure and Laws of Evidence,taught us law students-

    The teaching declares:-

    The general rule in Criminal cases is that the Legal Burden of proving every element of the Crime charged is on the PROSECUTION and remains there through out the trial.

    Because,according to the proverb on burden and standard of proof- ""he who asserts,must prove"".you charge the men,you must prove them guilty,with high quality evidence.

    Now,having discussed this matter with a senior Queen's Counsel in the UK,we came to the conclusion,that these are very serious allegations levelled against Her Majesty's Police Officers,and although the men may not have made an official report to a person in authority with responsibility for the police,it must be noted,that the allegations,are published on this free and democratic news site,in Her Majesty's Free and Democratic BVI.
    The News
    I saw it, I read it,I saw the bloggs of freedom and I read the bloggs of freedom

    I am certain that the senior officials with leadership responsibilty for the police also read the news and saw the bloggs,because every body reads VINO's breakings news,including the High Ranked officers of the Police Force.

    A trial of such magnitude,will be one of Public Interest; therefore,it is very important for the Public to know the truth behind these allegations.

    If the PHYSICAL evidence is Corrupt-There will be ""Reasonable doubt""and the burden and standard of proof ""falls"". Enquiry? yes:

    So, If the Governor agrees,he can hire the ""real legal team"" to head the investigation.We want the truth! You can't go to trial without knowing the truth:
  • cconcern (17/11/2013, 07:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We want to know how this trial had already started , and these profiteering lawyers could not see this and even so those that representing the others, maybe is because most are onn work permit and can't say much , chris get an attorney from overseas and close the deal wit the prosecution , make an official report , then it will be dismiss , policemen seems like they can't pay there mortgage so the drugs make up for it , like the real legal team from london , we need to know the truth mr commissioner look into the men statement .
  • bvi islander (17/11/2013, 08:21) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    These men are still behind bars , so there is no press confrerence or enquiry set yet , no response from dpp or police spoke person , these men representation , this thing wit the police been going on too long now , at least now someone speak out , glad to know , chris glad to know u speak out its a bit of a challenge , but u are a man
  • GI JOE (17/11/2013, 10:10) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    It abvious that this thing is so true, no response from no authority figures concerning the defendants claims , what we want to know is who involve now , list the names of officers in relation to the corruption , let the dpp drop the charges they are quite aware of what's been happening , police inquiry , we need answers and we also have questions relating to the issue @ hand .
  • concerned citizen (17/11/2013, 21:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    The prison has complained about it being over crowded and can hard feed prisoners. People have been denied bail according to their rights..This correctional facility (HMS)has no law libary, the one their is just fairy tales books and sciance fiction books they say and that makes it very difficult for a remanded prisoner or even inmates with pending charges to reseach their cases if they don't have a lawyer " ...... Nice it up in the men them favour....(Us).

  • unjust (17/11/2013, 21:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The lawyers here in the BVI are either very inexperience or they too are involved in robbing the people of the BVI for a lot of misrepresentation is going on here.........
  • drake (17/11/2013, 21:47) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply

    can u pls let us know who is bhind all these missing things , its ashame

  • apple pie (18/11/2013, 07:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    lets give the cops a break but there is always a spoil apple
  • crazy (18/11/2013, 19:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    Why are these policemen allegedly keep taking the evidence from the evidence room, is it that they not being paid enough , well complain to the government , this case need an enquiry , one has to be done , there is no way a fair trial can go on with this

  • Zanax (18/11/2013, 19:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Justice, justice, justice, justice , justice, Let it prevail pls Mr dpp
  • Wiseguy (18/11/2013, 21:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Injustice is a threat to justice everywhere


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