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

Trini duo guilty of attempting to smuggle $$ out of VI

Placed before the Magistrate’s Court on July 14, 2017 Trinidadians Rachelle Emrith and Allan Birju pleaded guilty to having a sum of $67,538 which were found in their possession and allegedly obtained as proceeds of criminal conduct. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Rachelle Emrith and Allan Birju pleaded guilty to having a sum of $67,538 which were found in their possession and allegedly obtained as proceeds of criminal conduct.

The two who hail from the twin island of Trinidad and Tobago were caught at the Terrence B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island with the money strapped to their body, hidden in under clothes and in their luggage as they were heading out of the territory after a short stay.

During their second appearance in the local Magistrate’s Court on July 14, 2017 Emrith pleaded guilty to possession of proceeds of criminal conduct, failing to declare monies to customs and engaging in smuggling. But she pleaded not guilty to assisting another to retain the benefits of proceeds of criminal conduct and engaging in smuggling with her co-accused.

Birju on the other hand pleaded guilty to possession of proceeds of criminal conduct and not guilty to engaging in smuggling with his co accused.

Sent back to Her Majesty’s Prison at Balsam Ghut, Senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards, the two will be back in court on July 21, 2017 with their attorney Mr Stephen R. Daniels when their trial is set to commence.

Not aware of obligation to declare cash?

Emrith allegedly begged police officers to give her a “break” when the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) was called in at the airport after over 58, 000 was found strapped to the side of her waist and on her back and allegedly told immigration officers she was not aware she had an obligation to declare the cash.

Birju on the other hand had $9,488 on his person in the pockets of an under pants and in his outer pants pockets.

The man told the court that most of the money belonged to the woman and that he had accompanied her to the territory. He had initially told police he brought the money he was found with into the territory from his homeland.

17 Responses to “Trini duo guilty of attempting to smuggle $$ out of VI”

  • assishness (16/07/2017, 12:55) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    The man had under 10 thou so why them hold he?
    • Street reporter (16/07/2017, 16:45) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Can't be a hussler if you don't know the law. Just keep the damnxx money in your Carry on and he will be in Trinidad all now...
    • Exactly (18/07/2017, 11:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      The form says you declare monies if it is $10,000 and above.
  • Oh Really? (16/07/2017, 13:05) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    She was not aware that she had to declare the cash. LOL. They always seem to think that they can come here and do bull.,:t and get away with it. The duo got duo got, got. Bo Bo, when you have children, you stay away from S.,t like that.
    • ha (16/07/2017, 14:42) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Really if it was so um sure she wouldve have it in her luggage and not all tape on ha rear end
  • wise up (16/07/2017, 13:22) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    I still don't get it where is the money originated from exactly
  • qc (16/07/2017, 15:45) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    leave the people with their little cash no man
  • soo (16/07/2017, 16:36) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    For such a short period in the Territory they have to say exactly where and how this money was accumulated.
  • Jack B Nimble (16/07/2017, 16:51) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Seems like the woman working for the man. His amount was within the law. Hers were waay over..
  • Still sleeping. (16/07/2017, 16:59) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    Someone from here is sending money, cash money to Trinidad u all remember the container with cash got caught coming from the BVI to Trinidad.. Why the hell I'm here working so hard and so broke..Need some of that Cash...Somebody here is loaded..
  • Port of Spain (17/07/2017, 12:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    When they change that into usd they will be rich
  • Ti ti ti (18/07/2017, 11:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    What a thing
  • disappointed (21/07/2017, 00:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nahhh man they need to get lock up for being stupid smh make more than one trip with less then 10k and your money straight duhhh
  • Blondie (22/07/2017, 22:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    What a stupid move on both counterparts. The man that accompanied her is her mother's boyfriend who have apparently been in prison prior.


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.