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

Man attempts to smuggle marijuana into USVI via Delta

According to the complaint, on April 19, 2016, Mr Keenan Powell-Ryder arrived at the Cyril E. King International Airport, St Thomas, Virgin Islands, on board a Delta Airlines flight from Atlanta, Georgia. US Customs and Border Protection officers approached Powell-Ryder and asked him if he had any checked luggage, which he denied. He was taken to secondary inspection where CBP officers matched luggage containing 14.99 kilograms of marijuana to Mr Powell-Ryder. Photo: VIC
VI CONSORTIUM

CHARLOTTE AMALIE, St Thomas, USVI- Keenan Powell-Ryder, 20, of Gainesville, Georgia, made his initial appearance on April 20, 2016, before US Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller after being charged in a complaint with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced.

At a preliminary hearing held today 21, 2016, probable cause was found to arrest Powell-Ryder, who was subsequently released on an appearance bond with numerous conditions of release.

According to the complaint, on April 19, 2016, Mr Powell-Ryder arrived at the Cyril E. King International Airport, St Thomas, Virgin Islands, on board a Delta Airlines flight from Atlanta, Georgia. US Customs and Border Protection officers approached Powell-Ryder and asked him if he had any checked luggage, which he denied. He was taken to secondary inspection where CBP officers matched luggage containing 14.99 kilograms of marijuana to Mr Powell-Ryder.

Under federal law if convicted of possession with intent to distribute 14.99 kilograms of marijuana, Mr Powell-Ryder faces a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

This case is being investigated by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David White. United States Attorney Sharpe reminds the public that a complaint is merely a formal charging document and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

6 Responses to “Man attempts to smuggle marijuana into USVI via Delta”

  • US police union (22/04/2016, 19:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Its ok. He's just bringing a love offering to the chief of police who used to be on St. John. He wants to buy his
    way into the USVI law enforcement community....
  • Wild Bush (22/04/2016, 20:11) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Evil police.. They allow the man to land st Thomas because its legal in the US.. Why these people still stuck in the slavery mentality.? Give the weed a break.. Its just wild bush that jah jah bless...
    • Belonger With A Broader Perspective (25/04/2016, 01:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Wild Bush...You do realize that St. Thomas is part of the U.S. Maybe you should give the wild bush a break.
  • Boo (22/04/2016, 23:29) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    legalize the thing man this is waste of court time
  • Boo (23/04/2016, 00:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Partner thought he was catching a flight to Colorado? 15 Kilos partner was starting up a business? That certainly was not for "personal use"
  • Music (23/04/2016, 07:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Like the last one, arent they coming the wrong way?


Create a comment


Submit comment

Create a comment

Submit 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.