News
Big court win for Wade N. Smith! Sr Magistrate & CoP dragged before court
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- In a strong ruling handed down on Thursday, June 15, 2023, High Court Judge Sonya Young agreed with Attorney-at-Law Terence F. Williams in his request for a Judicial Review (JR) over the alleged illegal search of the home of Comptroller of Customs Wade N. Smith.
Sr Magistrate blasts Gov’t for poor roads & alleged reckless spending
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Senior Magistrate Ms Tamia N. Richards has blasted the Government of the Virgin Islands for deplorable road conditions, reckless spending, and the non-working asphalt plant to repair said roads.
US$805K found on vessel in June 2020 forfeited to Crown; Duo found guilty
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- US Virgin Islands (USVI) national Kemel Stefon Wilson and Dominican Republic national Alberto Campusano Valera, who were arrested in June 2020 on a vessel where US$805, 370 were recovered by HM Customs, have been found guilty of several charges by Senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards.
Bail denied for boat captain & helper who allegedly smuggled 28 Illegal Immigrants into VI
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards said she could find any conditions suitable to grant two men bail who are accused of smuggling 28 illegal immigrants into the Virgin Islands.
‘We are not able to build a wall & ask Mexico to pay for it’- Magistrate
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- "Our borders with the US are porous, and we are not able to build a wall and ask Mexico to pay for it,” stated senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards as she remanded Olicity M. Lanns, 24, to Her Majesty’s Prison yesterday, April 13, 2021.
Man arrested following WE drug bust remanded to prison
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The man who was arrested following a high-speed boat chase and drug bust at West End, Tortola on Sunday, April 11, 2021, has been denied bail by Senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards.
'You are the problem!'- Senior Magistrate tells lawyer
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards has lashed out against lawyers in the [British] Virgin Islands for what she said were a few shortcomings of persons in that profession that have served to hold back the free flow of the judicial system.
Erickson hid for 7 months, travelled to Anguilla, escaped arrest 3 times- Court
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- During the court hearing for Nyron Erickson on Monday, August 31, 2020, it was stated by the prosecution that the accused hid from police for approximately seven months, travelled to Anguilla and escaped arrest three times with the help of friends.
‘I am not going after the $$, I want the boat’- Acting DPP
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards has said under the Customs Management and Duties Act the dinghy used to smuggle US Virgin Islands (USVI) resident Bryan D. Bolan into the Virgin Islands (British) on April 3, 2020 by Tambu Frett, is liable to forfeiture.
'Newton hearing' in Tambu Frett case as Crown & Defense reach stalemate
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The sentencing hearing for Mr Tambu Frett, who previously pleaded guilty to Illegal Entry, Breach of Curfew and Smuggling, was delayed again today, May 1, 2020, in the Magistrate’s Court after the Crown and the Defense could not come to an agreement on a report introduced during mitigation that implicates Mr Frett as a person frequently engaged in smuggling for profit.