Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Hon Fraser proposes Ministry of Homeland Security

- to provide mechanisms to address concerns cited in the latest US State Department’s INCSR
Chairman of the VIP Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3) has proposed a new Ministry of Homeland Security to address the concerns cited in the latest International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR). Photo: VINO/File
Hon Fraser was speaking last evening April 1, 2015 on VIP's Let's Talk on ZBVI 780 AM. Photo: VINO/File
Hon Fraser was speaking last evening April 1, 2015 on VIP's Let's Talk on ZBVI 780 AM. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3) said there is too much to lose if the findings of the latest International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) are not addressed straightaway and has proposed a new Ministry to deal with issues such as national security among others.

The report claims that "Exploitation of our offshore financial services, the unique share structure that does not require a statement of authorised capital, and the lack of mandatory filing of ownership information pose significant money laundering risks to the territory.”

According to Honourable Fraser, money laundering is the last thing any jurisdiction, particularly a financial centre like the Virgin Islands, wants to be labeled with. He was speaking on the VIP radio show ‘Let’s Talk’ last evening April 1, 2015 on ZBVI 780 AM.

The Report further went on to note among others, that "the BVI’s proximity to the US Virgin Islands and the use of the US Dollar for its currency pose additional risk factors for money laundering".

“This time the State Department has made a direct connection between our use of the US Dollar and money laundering, and that concerns me. My immediate question is why are they reminding us that we are using their currency?” asked Honourable Fraser.

He pointed out that another troubling revelation in the report is their claim that the VI, similar to other jurisdictions in the Eastern Caribbean, is a major target for drug traffickers who use the area as a gateway to the United States.

The Virgin Islands Party Chairman said the stakes are too high going forward as the VI has too much to lose, beginning with the VI's special immigration privileges; the visa waiver; cross border movement of horses; and most importantly, the use of the US Dollar as the VI's currency.

Ministries to restructure

Hon Fraser revealed that a Virgin Islands Party administration, in its plans for making an efficient and 21st Century Government, will have built-in mechanisms that will address the issues raised of concern to the US State Department.

“We believe that the current structure of Government, which is decades old, has run its course. So in order to ensure better efficiency and greater accountability many of the subjects in the various Ministries will experience transfer and restructure,” he said.

Honourable Fraser said the critical issue of security will be addressed by the establishment of a 7th Ministry: ‘The Ministry of Homeland Security’, where Customs, Immigration, Labour, Ports, and National Security will be [under one umbrella]. He said that the Maritime Academy which will also involve Coast Guard operations will also form a vital part of this Ministry's functions.

“These are all steps in the direction of eliminating the risks to the territory from money laundering, and drug trafficking as stated in the 2015 INCSR, released by the U S State Department,” he said.

See our earlier reports on the INCSR: 

http://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/premier-must-engage-us-on-money-laundering-report-hon-fraser-

http://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/vi-on-us-money-laundering-list-report

23 Responses to “Hon Fraser proposes Ministry of Homeland Security”

  • Citizen (02/04/2015, 08:39) Like (8) Dislike (24) Reply
    MR FRASER a good idea it long over due.
  • I agree (02/04/2015, 08:42) Like (17) Dislike (7) Reply
    Yes, finally this is well needed. Proper training and educating of officers are also important to do the job. Officers allso need to have the guts to carry out their jobs without being influenced.
  • DON Q (02/04/2015, 08:47) Like (4) Dislike (15) Reply
    Here here here here now here is a party with ideas as the current NDP gang is brain dead!!!
  • police (02/04/2015, 09:01) Like (13) Dislike (5) Reply
    Now sounds like a good idea and I know the BVI is a immigration state but don't u some form of policing or milatery like officers should be form to that department who are going to make arrests in such cases. What about you all ministers who need protection that can fall right under that umbrella where they are armed secrete service like. Then morris won't have to worry about police driving judge. And arm officer at complex god kno if anything happen down their dem security calling police
    • Gasson (02/04/2015, 11:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

      YOU WILL STILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH IMMIGRATION. WHATS YOUR POINT IN THIS OVERSEAS TERRITORY?

  • Realist (02/04/2015, 09:19) Like (5) Dislike (7) Reply
    This means this Ministry will or should be working alongside Financial Investigation Agency where necessary as they are the reporting entity for Money Laundering. Good idea though. Another proposal should be Ministry of Foreign Affairs attached to the Premier's Office.
  • Schups (02/04/2015, 09:20) Like (28) Dislike (2) Reply
    The biggest money laundering jurisdiction is Delaware (United States). London (UK) is right up there with them. Fraser needs to understand these issues before trying to seem smart and fool people. This is all smoke and mirrors and pure politics being played in US, UK and other countries. The BVI's mechanisms against terrorist financing and money laundering are higher than the US, UK and our other competitor jurisdictions. We have exceeded all requirements by FATF and other international regulatory bodies. It's a shame when we have people wanting to represent us but don't have a clue what is happening.
  • not for we (02/04/2015, 09:24) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply

    A very smart idea but wait we need to see where this is going. for one this gives 1 minster authority over several departments and definitely not good. information sharing between these departments are already taking place, there is no need to place so much power under 1 ministry. for instance tackling illegal entry. I don't see how combining these department have anything to do with financial Services...definitely drugs but no money laundering/criminals are no longer shipping money in crates overseas..VI homeland security already taking care of that with their patrols. what we need is stronger enforcement with the banks, and trust companies and heavier penalties including possible jail time for rogue companies.Time and time again this is where all the bad sh**t happens.

  • unde the bus (02/04/2015, 09:42) Like (15) Dislike (11) Reply
    fraser jammi why NDP dividing the county and giving out election contracts to buy votes
  • Knee Jerk (02/04/2015, 09:44) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    How can it be a revelation that we are a major target for the illegal drugs trade. Anyone knows that because of the economics of drugs becoming worth ten times the cost price when they reach US soil that our geographic location is significant to the trade. We are only minutes from the USVI in a go fast.

    The minister also talks about money laundering as if this is news too. Tax haven, Off shore, etc, are all schemes which attract the criminal element. I doubt that putting anti money laundering into a new department which also fights drugs is the way forward.

    Instead, why not give additional funding to improve the Police Marine Units, and give teeth to the Financial Services Commission. We dont need more Directors driving fancy SUVs, just make what we have better.
    • @ knee jerk (02/04/2015, 13:35) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
      Like I've said for three years now the NDP is dead on arrival!!! Times up let's go VIP
  • BVI lawyer (02/04/2015, 09:59) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    I am yet to hear any ideas coming out of the NDP camp….all we get is them; taking residents land, victimization, lies, conflict of interest and oh yea hate for some businesses.
    • whoyou? (02/04/2015, 10:30) Like (2) Dislike (8) Reply
      I hope you are not a BVI lawyer for real because you sound like you just scraped through your LLB, failed the Bar twice and had many resits. No lawyer will talk the filt you are posting. You are just generalizing. My brother said to ask you: what is the rule concerning the use of land for public good? See there, can't answer; done fail -- real moo moo.
      • rattie (02/04/2015, 13:30) Like (0) Dislike (6) Reply
        this is how the NDP ran the BVI for 4 years they can't commit to anything and nothing ever get done but blame the little man and hide under the law when it sutes um.
  • wize up (02/04/2015, 10:11) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    glad to see the VIP has awakened: not only do we need to improve our homeland security; the united kingdom should play a big role in financing it; we need upgraded boats to patrol the waters of the BVI and send a strong message to those dope and gun smugglers (won't catch them all but we need a greater presence of law enforcement at sea)...put the governor to work, national security falls under his mandate (just staying)
    • HAHA (02/04/2015, 11:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

      The UK will play a big role in financing what enforcement against what they are heavily involved with? Please try to understand the matters at hand before spouting nonsense..... It is not as easy as 1,2,3. You need to follow the money! For starters, the money funding BVI's financial services isn't from local fishermen and farmers.

  • Lily Ann (02/04/2015, 10:29) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
    I'm all in for NDP .... But this is the first sensible thing I heard from VIP side !!! Hope NDP takes up on that when they go back in !!!
  • vip fan club (02/04/2015, 11:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This could have been the perfect ministry for wade if he wasn't so coward.
  • ooooo (02/04/2015, 11:06) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    fraser seems like the only one seeking to solve our international problems
  • Garbage (03/04/2015, 12:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is utter rubbish. Homeland security .... comes under the Governor and the crown. Let's get v real ppl and stop studying nonsense.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.