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Officers in largest drugs bust were ‘suspected’ of being corrupt – CoP Matthews

- points to arrest as no indication that entire RVIPF is corrupt
Outgoing Commissioner of Police, Mr Michael B. Matthews has revealed that the two officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) who had been implicated and charged in the $250 million November drug bust in Balsam Ghut area, were suspected of being corrupt. Photo: Facebook/File
 Darren Davis, left, and Leston Davis at the Magistrate's Court in John's Hole on November 10, 2020. Photo: VINO
Darren Davis, left, and Leston Davis at the Magistrate's Court in John's Hole on November 10, 2020. Photo: VINO
Emile Jimenez, 32, is the second police officer charged in relation to the major drug bust in early November 2020. Photo: Team of Reporters.
Emile Jimenez, 32, is the second police officer charged in relation to the major drug bust in early November 2020. Photo: Team of Reporters.
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI -Outgoing Commissioner of Police, Mr Michael B. Matthews has revealed that the two officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) who were implicated and charged in the $250 million drug bust in the Balsam Ghut area in November 2020, were suspected of being corrupt.

The Commissioner made the revelation on a Friday, January 15, 2021, episode of JTV’s The Big Story with host Cathy O. Richards.

The serving officers charged following the drug bust on Friday, November 6, 2020, were Darren Davis, 41, a resident on Tortola and officer Emile Jimenez, 32.

Bad news to arrest cops – CoP Matthews

“The bad news that we arrested these officers is also good news that we actually caught people who were suspected of being corrupt,” Mr Matthews told Richards. 

Darren, along with his brother, Leston Davis were on November 10, 2020, jointly charged with 3 counts of Possession of Illegal Drugs with Intent to Supply; 1 count of Keeping a Firearm Without a License and 1 count of Possession of a Prohibited Firearm.

Then on December 3, 2020, Jimenez was charged with one count of being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug to another, three counts of unlawful possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply, one count of keeping a firearm without a licence, and one count of unlawful possession of a prohibited weapon. 

Entire RVIPF not corrupt – CoP Matthews

However, while Cop Matthews indicated that he was pleased with the arrests, he said the discovery of corrupt officers do not indicate that the entire force is corrupt.

“The vast majority of people I've worked with the last five years are honest hardworking officers with great levels of integrity and not everyone is going to agree with the statement," Mr Matthews went on to say. 

He said that while some people would have had a bad experience with the force, "I accept all of that, but you can't just put a brush across the whole Force and say you're all corrupt."

The Top CoP related that while it is bad news when members of the police are implicated in crime, he said the good news is that the force is constantly looking for corrupt officers and have systems in place to identify those individuals.

17 Responses to “Officers in largest drugs bust were ‘suspected’ of being corrupt – CoP Matthews”

  • jj (17/01/2021, 10:12) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    The same history, nothing new ^_^
  • ... (17/01/2021, 10:50) Like (8) Dislike (39) Reply
    you and the governor said the BVI was corrupt, man go from here both of you needs to be investigated.
  • How (17/01/2021, 11:06) Like (32) Dislike (2) Reply
    What happened to the bigger cops in corruption only the small fish them get fried
    • whats next? (17/01/2021, 12:11) Like (21) Dislike (2) Reply
      After all this time since that went down,that is all you could come to us with? Are we to forget about, or dismiss the event where the officers were charged for the confiscating of drugs and monies were taken where the officers had their friends reselling the drugs and the officers kept the thousands and hundreds of thousands of dollars.?. Where are those officers today? Is the one officer still protected in England? Same game different coaches and players, and well distinguished Umpires.
    • Deh Watcha (18/01/2021, 10:00) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      Sounds like since arresting those 3 this is turning into a cold case.
  • NezRez (17/01/2021, 12:52) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    At least they are getting caught now, slowing the drug flow...but it's not over yet. There are many more bringing drugs, guns and big money in.
  • from buckingham palace (17/01/2021, 13:15) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    So if you knew that they were corrupt,why didnt you discipline them?And why havent you discipline them?
  • knowledge (17/01/2021, 15:28) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply

    exactly, what happen to the big senior cops who are corrupt, operation LUCAN revealed alot, who was the head of that criminal organization where these 3 officers were arrested, so you want to tell me because you are a high ranking officer, you will not be prosecuted, bullsh***, that's why i like the American system, don't matter what office you hold, you do sh** and your @#% is grass.

    • agree with knowledge (17/01/2021, 18:22) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      In the USA,once you get ketch,you facing discipline and dismissal onetime.In bvi force,they have them on suspension getting pay by taxpayers until a court case finish,so all now so they are not corrupt,they just get charge because they commit a offence,but they not corrupt,because if they corrupt you would dismiss them.
  • Liat 521 (17/01/2021, 17:01) Like (8) Dislike (16) Reply
    This cop is just a good talker very empty he and jespert need to be on the same flight
  • tretretre (17/01/2021, 19:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
  • lol (17/01/2021, 22:08) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    looks like a net got cast and only caught the guppies
  • ReX FeRal (17/01/2021, 22:39) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Unprofessional to call out cops as corrupt and have no proof. Mick you should know better.
  • MICKEY MOUSE (18/01/2021, 03:59) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply

    So this rac**t big** commissioner is preaching to us?!

    Just leave already mick take that white supremacist gus with you

    No one wants either of you here

  • Citizen (19/01/2021, 13:18) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The RVIPF need a new Deputy Commissioner of police as well. Sadly Mr. Matthew’s is not the one managing the force it’s the Deputy and ask any police officer who is not Dominican and they will tell you why the Force is the way it is.


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