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‘We are not able to build a wall & ask Mexico to pay for it’- Magistrate

- Senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards highlighted that borders with US are ‘porous’
Senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards has stated that the borders with the US Virgin Islands are porous, which was one of the reasons she denied bail to a man facing drug charges. Photo: VINO/File
The accused, Olicity M. Lanns, was the lone person arrested following a high-speed boat chase that involved the Joint Task Force and US Customs and Border Protection and US Coast Guard on Sunday, April 11, 2021. Photo: Team of Reporters
The accused, Olicity M. Lanns, was the lone person arrested following a high-speed boat chase that involved the Joint Task Force and US Customs and Border Protection and US Coast Guard on Sunday, April 11, 2021. Photo: Team of Reporters
A helicopter belonging to the US Customs and Border Patrol trail the vessel on April 11, 2021. Photo: Team of Reporters
A helicopter belonging to the US Customs and Border Patrol trail the vessel on April 11, 2021. Photo: Team of Reporters
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- "Our borders with the US are porous, and we are not able to build a wall and ask Mexico to pay for it,” stated senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards as she remanded Olicity M. Lanns, 24, to Her Majesty’s Prison yesterday, April 13, 2021.

Mr Lanns, 24, of Hannah’s Estate, is charged with Importation of Drugs, Being Concerned in the Supply of Drugs and Possession of a Controlled Drug. He did not enter any pleas at yesterday's virtual court sitting.

The accused was the lone person arrested following a high-speed boat chase that involved the Joint Task Force and US Customs and Border Protection and US Coast Guard on Sunday, April 11, 2021.

Some 453kg of cocaine was subsequently taken from VI waters, according to police.

It was the Magistrate’s view that Mr Lanns, a US citizen with Belonger status, had more to gain by fleeing the Virgin Islands. She said with his US citizenship; Mr Lanns is eligible to live anywhere in the vast United States, "he can travel illegally into the US and travel throughout the US without detection."

Magistrate Richards explained that the court must consider whether there is a risk of the defendant absconding if he is granted bail, and there is always that risk.

Drugs seized reportedly worth $43M

"So my view on the information before me, I can devise of no conditions that can secure the defendants attendance at his trial. I consider that the amount of drugs that is involved is $43 million. That's a lot of drugs, and the defendant must have if the allegations are true major underworld drug connections."

She further said the fact that there was a boat involved shows that he has access to boats and to flee the jurisdiction outside of the ferry or via aeroplanes.

"Our borders with the US are porous, and we are not able to build a wall and ask Mexico to pay for it. Having to face a long custodial term may be the impetus for him to flee, it is not as if it is unheard of that a person facing a long term has never fled the jurisdiction where they are from. There is more for him to gain by fleeing rather than staying," she added.

It was former US President Donald J. Trump who had controversially stated that, in the fight to curb illegal entry, the US would build a wall on the Mexico border and make that country pay for it.

Meanwhile, the court matter has been set for May 11, 2021, for report.

See link to related article:

Man arrested following WE drug bust remanded to prison

34 Responses to “‘We are not able to build a wall & ask Mexico to pay for it’- Magistrate”

  • wow (14/04/2021, 15:14) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Huh!
  • B#$ is only quitter (14/04/2021, 15:44) Like (24) Dislike (21) Reply

    Pour synopsis ug** woman

  • Garbage full of nonsense (14/04/2021, 16:40) Like (15) Dislike (11) Reply

    How is that relevant...

    • annudda2cents (14/04/2021, 20:06) Like (30) Dislike (10) Reply
      @ "Garbage full of nonsense". I agree. The tone of that comment comes off as personal. The learnt Magistrate needs to remain professional at all times and keep personal comments out of the court house.
    • It's not relevant (15/04/2021, 17:49) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply

      She thinks she funny with her lame sarcasm. Can't they find a better picture?

  • Bob (14/04/2021, 17:25) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    Who owns the boat?
  • island man (14/04/2021, 17:28) Like (14) Dislike (3) Reply
    think b4 u speak classic example
  • JOHNNY COCHRAN (14/04/2021, 17:41) Like (13) Dislike (6) Reply

    once you local and get in h** court house you gone jail house

  • omg (14/04/2021, 18:03) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just Flipping Wow !!!!!!!!!
  • HMMM (14/04/2021, 18:05) Like (38) Dislike (13) Reply
    This woman need to be taken off her pony... she believes every defendant is guilty until proven innocent... she’s very annoying and likes to waste people time and money ...
    • Donald trump (15/04/2021, 01:01) Like (21) Dislike (4) Reply
      This Magistrate is very unprofessional. Has she forgotten that her relative was caught up in criminal related matters not too long ago.? She needs an attitude adjustment.
  • seems (14/04/2021, 18:07) Like (27) Dislike (6) Reply

    Like she's campaigning for next election this has always been the norm here talking fart one sided h...

  • Jah knows (14/04/2021, 18:18) Like (24) Dislike (8) Reply
    I wonder if she really thinks before talking how much have the same case and got bail so that's means only us citizens are flight risks?
  • lol (14/04/2021, 18:25) Like (24) Dislike (7) Reply
    ms. Richards how you get that analogy say buddy? Trump lil sister lol
  • royal navy (14/04/2021, 19:43) Like (24) Dislike (8) Reply
    This Magistrate needs to summon the Royal Navy to protect us from these dangerous criminal smugglers and murderers. The Navy can't build a wall but they sure could build a impenetrable blockade around the entire BVI for free!
  • Niko Belic (14/04/2021, 20:45) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    In fairness neither can the US given that the wall wasn't built and Mexico paid nothing for the border reinforcements that were undertaken.

    Maybe belongership should only be given to those who give up any other citizenships they have to prevent this issue arising in future? It would also show they have true loyalty to the territory that way
    • Bigdog (15/04/2021, 16:30) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      So how in the world will give up a us citizenship for the BVI belonger ship
      • Niko Belic (16/04/2021, 08:30) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        Thats my point, if US citizenship is more important to them, then let them be US citizens, but don't claim belongership and bring all their crime problems here for us to deal with
    • wall (15/04/2021, 19:24) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      the wall was being built, and almost finished. yes mexico was paying for it. where do u get your news?
      • Niko Belic (16/04/2021, 08:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/elviadiaz/2021/01/05/trump-few-days-make-mexico-pay-border-wall/6555494002/

        https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-01/the-border-wall-that-u-s-not-mexico-is-paying-for-quicktake

        Just a couple of sources, plenty more if you look
  • @ROYAL NAVY (15/04/2021, 07:29) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
    GOOD IDEA , BUT THAT IS ONLY GOING TO TUNE UP THOSE PAID CANARIES START HOLLERING RACISM RACISM RACISM / THOSE BRILLIANT GENIUSES BANGING OFF THEIR MOUTHS ABOUT TRANSPARENCY PREFER TO SPEND THE $$$$ ON FLOATING STORE ROOMS FOR THE WHITE LADY INSTEAD OF DEVELOPING SOME FARMS / AINT THAT WONDERFULL
  • brother (15/04/2021, 08:42) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    How I ain’t see the case with her brother come back as yet
  • ?? (15/04/2021, 10:51) Like (56) Dislike (0) Reply
    This LADY! The things this lady say out of her mouth...Don't throw stones if you live in glass house woman. Just don't do it.
    • gfdfdggfdgfdgfdg (15/04/2021, 17:54) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      Let her be...time longer than twine. This is what happens when you give positions of power to people who clearly are not mentally mature enough to handle them.
  • Trump (15/04/2021, 11:27) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    the judge was right on the money with her analogy. she can say what she wants! some of u bloggers are tooo dumb to understand the total story of what she refers. Lol
  • Badminded (15/04/2021, 11:57) Like (28) Dislike (8) Reply
    She bad minded back and takes everything personal. Has no respect for others in and out the court room. Everybody will be judged one day
  • Island man police (15/04/2021, 13:54) Like (10) Dislike (7) Reply
    I stand strong by the good Magistrate words. make sense to me and fair decision hold the roach till the time.
  • Island man police (15/04/2021, 13:57) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    all ayo here bashing the good magistrate mix up in someway with criminals or a hater lol
  • down2earth (15/04/2021, 21:28) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nothing is wrong with what the Magistrate said! May I suggest instead that some of us would like bad deeds coated to sound acceptable and statements be made that would make reality more easy to swallow.
  • Mario Maduro (16/04/2021, 05:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dont mind the noise ...
  • ReX FeRal (16/04/2021, 06:54) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The BVI need to review the whole Belonger issuance policy. Its freakin abused to the max.
  • mm (19/04/2021, 15:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Her brother is a model citizen..el juico.


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