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USVI man was ‘testing’ new boat found with drugs

- fined $2,500; to spend one month @ HMP
September 12th, 2019 | Tags: Gerard Hilaire drugs charged prison boat captain guilty
Law enforcement officials carry out further inspections of the vessel found with drugs on September 6, 2019 at the Police Marine Unit Base at Road Reef. Photo: Team of Reporters
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Gerard Hilaire claimed to be giving his new fishing boat a test run when he was caught heading to an undesignated port of entry on Tortola with illegal drugs.

The elderly boat captain from the United States Virgin Islands (USVI), along with another man, was caught by the Police Marine Unit on September 6, 2019.

Hilaire was intercepted for not checking in at the West End port and heading in the direction of Cane Garden Bay from St John, USVI.

When the boat was stopped and searched, 29 grams of cannabis was found. Hilaire also had over $3,000 in cash and told police that he had no intentions of disembarking on Tortola.  

When asked about the drugs, the dreadlocks wearing man replied that it belonged to him.

Guilty as charged

He was arrested and charged with illegal entry, possession of a controlled drug and importation of a controlled drug and pleaded guilty to all charges laid against him.

Magistrate Ayanna O. Baptiste-DaBreo imposed a 30-day custodial sentence for the illegal entry charge plus a $1,000 fine. 

He was also warned that if he does not pay the fine, he will spend two months at Her Majesty’s Prison.

For the drugs, he was given a fine of $1,500. The same warning was given to him as before, if he does not pay the fine, a custodial sentence of two months will apply.

The court also ordered a forfeiture hearing on September 25, 2019 to determine whether the cash found on him should be given to the state or not.

Attorney-at-law Patrick D. Thompson represented Hilaire in court.

10 Responses to “USVI man was ‘testing’ new boat found with drugs”

  • Greg (12/09/2019, 08:57) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    I wonder how long this has been going on with these people. They knew exactly where they were going and pleaded guilty so easily. Glad they were caught red handed.
  • wise up (12/09/2019, 14:50) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Only in tola me bai one month and 2500 wow bet if was a island man would have been 2 years and 100,000
  • police (12/09/2019, 14:54) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    always quick to jump before yall wait see who comin to pick it up what ever they had. Its about time yall start to use your heads man.....foolish
  • Bull Dawg (12/09/2019, 15:55) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    What you really saying dude?
    Down the Island that money and drugs would have been confiscated secretly from those bandits police.
    Then they would have said, "don't let me see you on this island again.
  • ppl (12/09/2019, 17:26) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    29grams is an ounce and 1gram nothing to kick n fuss about, the guys went to test their boat an just enjoy the island waters with a lil meds
  • home boy (13/09/2019, 09:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This man is a Caribbean/island man as you call Caribbean so what is your point.
  • Freebie (13/09/2019, 11:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    No doubt the seller of the boat tossed in an incentive to close the deal.
  • LCS (14/09/2019, 14:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Police should use these confiscated boats to better patrol our waters. Instead there are left abandoned. They now belong to the government. A good mechanic can help with the upkeep of the good boats taken away from the criminals. Why is this not done?


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