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HM Customs investigation: Police make another arrest without charges laid

According to the RVIPF in a press today, March 22, 2023, police yesterday arrested another male on suspicion of fraud as inquiries into irregularities within HM Customs continue. Photo: VINO/File
As the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) continues its investigations into HM Customs on the direction of the United Kingdom (UK) retired judge Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom, another person has been arrested but again had to be released with charges. Photo: Daily Mail
As the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) continues its investigations into HM Customs on the direction of the United Kingdom (UK) retired judge Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom, another person has been arrested but again had to be released with charges. Photo: Daily Mail
It was on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, that UK Police Officers arrested and released Commissioner of Customs Wade N. Smith on 'suspicion of breach of trust'. Photo: VINO/File
It was on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, that UK Police Officers arrested and released Commissioner of Customs Wade N. Smith on 'suspicion of breach of trust'. Photo: VINO/File
PORT PURCELL, Tortola, VI – As the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) continues its investigations into HM Customs on the direction of the United Kingdom (UK) retired judge Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom, another person has been arrested but again had to be released with charges.

According to the RVIPF in a press today, March 22, 2023, police yesterday arrested another male on suspicion of fraud as inquiries into irregularities within HM Customs continue.

The male was released pending further investigations, the press release stated.

8 warrants executed; No charges laid!

According to the RVIPF, this latest arrest brings the total to three persons detained in relation to alleged irregularities within His Majesty's Customs.

“To date, eight warrants have been executed with three of the warrants on vehicles. So far, no charges have been laid,” Police stated.

According to the press release, as this remains an ongoing investigation, no further information can be released at this time.

Witch-hunt?

Many see the recent arrests and harassment of locals by UK officers as a witch-hunt under the pretext of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI).

Many residents have lambasted the one-man commission's report as biased and its credibility is under attack, since all of the areas that have issues under the Governor’s portfolio (civil service, courts, police force) have not been touched in the report.

It was on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, that UK police officers arrested and released without charges Commissioner of Customs Wade N. Smith on “suspicion of breach of trust”.

In the CoI report, the one-man Commissioner Gary R Hickinbottom found no corruption in the Customs Department under Mr Smith’s leadership.

Double standards?

Therefore, many residents see Mr Smith’s continued harassment as revenge. It was Mr Smith who debunked the UK Police Officers' claim last year when they went on a 'joy ride’ and 'bar hop' with a Government boat but claimed they were on a special operation.

Mr Smith had noted that whenever there is a special sea operation, both his department and the police are involved jointly. No UK police officers were disciplined for the abuse of power and breach of trust.

In addition, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) was involved in Human Trafficking last year, when they took a potential employee, who came to the Virgin Islands (VI) on a vacation, to St Thomas, USVI on a police boat so he could change his immigration status. Nothing was done on this matter but today the officer is in the police force, as he was hired in October of last year.

It was Mr Smith as Comptroller of Customs, along with the Chief Immigration Officer, who made representation and provided evidence to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on the matter; however, it was swept under the rug and nothing was done.

25 Responses to “HM Customs investigation: Police make another arrest without charges laid”

  • Come on (22/03/2023, 12:24) Like (35) Dislike (13) Reply
    Stop arresting people without charges. This is sickening as all they are doing is scandalizing people's name. If you want to question them then do so but stop listing it as an arrest. These colonial dictators are over doing it now.
    • Rhythm up.. (22/03/2023, 13:56) Like (18) Dislike (8) Reply
      Strategy. As they Rat on each other. Pull them in tell them what you have on them. Let the Ratting continue, . Then bail them on their own recognizance... Don't believe what is reported. You cannot serve an arrest warrant without charges. The arrest warrant will state the reason for the arrest....
      • @Rhythm up.. (22/03/2023, 14:50) Like (9) Dislike (7) Reply
        You must be the Commissioner or one of his UK Officers. Just exist stage left.
  • Now Now Now (22/03/2023, 12:28) Like (26) Dislike (21) Reply
    This is not an attempt to try to condone wrong, but it is clear this is just a front for them to try to justify why they need to take over customs and have the people agreement. The slavery mill is grinding slow but grinding still.
    • BUSY BEE (23/03/2023, 13:51) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Now Now Now
      What utter nonsense. BVI Customs has been out of control for years. Greedy, power-hungry, corrupt. About time they were reined in.
      The entire department should be abolished anyway, get that onerous burden off the backs of the people of the BVI and let the place become a competitive duty-free port.
  • here we go again (22/03/2023, 12:31) Like (28) Dislike (3) Reply
    Everything other than the plane, the police, and matters under the Governor are being probed into. This makes one wonder the motives.
  • Bumble Bee (22/03/2023, 12:37) Like (33) Dislike (15) Reply
    We know some these customs officials were making there own rules and a number of wrongs were happening in that department, so we should not be surprised as to the arrest, the chairwoman, the customs chief and down, more to come.
    • @Bubble Bee (22/03/2023, 13:22) Like (23) Dislike (12) Reply
      Yep and all their buddies are gonna be pissed because they can't continue their dutty ways
    • TO Bumble Bee (22/03/2023, 14:58) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
      The police Department at all levels is even worse.
  • watch out (22/03/2023, 12:38) Like (24) Dislike (32) Reply
    Slavery is creeping in right under our feet but being disguised as investigations and good governance. History does not repeat itself. People repeat history. They are turning this place (BVI) into a police state in a way that is getting most of our approval, but BVI WAKE UP! WATCH OUT!
  • OG Ravioli (22/03/2023, 12:39) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wrong tingz out now. No affiliation world wide ????
  • a word to the wise (22/03/2023, 12:58) Like (25) Dislike (8) Reply
    There is good and bad happening worldwide in the private and public sectors and should not be allowed and must be weed out. Having said that, we cannot allow it is as being done to continue without checks and balances including on those that are looking into it and those that recommended that it be looked into. The process of the COI and the hiring of the Commissioner of the COI was not transparent including the process and terms of reference, and it was done in a way to yield predetermined outcomes and pre-authored reports. There COI report cannot be allowed to stand alone as there are three sides to any story, your side, my side, and the truth. The BVI public needs the report from the Attorney Cox man that was working on the Government's behalf to see the other side of this story. There is no balance or justice in this process although it is camouflaged to make us think otherwise and there needs to be or else the colonial farmer will continue to get the BVI sheep to trust in him that he is their savior from the corrupt wolves stealing and eating them. Meanwhile the number of sheep continue to significantly dwindle as the farmer is secretly eating lamb chops for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. Do not let it get too late before we realize the wolf is who we are watching because they trained our minds to do so, but the real issue is the farmer. A word to the wise.
  • Pred Ators (22/03/2023, 13:05) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    They need to lock up all of the NASTY men in there that are preying on the females. Set a nasty #%@$@$ And if they are allowed to continue their nastiness, I will start to NAME & SHAME all of them!!!
    • TO Pred Ators (22/03/2023, 15:00) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
      This is worse in the police force by whites and blacks but no one to turn to as you cannot trust no one.
  • suspicion (22/03/2023, 13:17) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    This suspicion charge is a dangerous law to have on the books as a law. You can implicated through this without realizing it as it is broad.
    • To suspicion (22/03/2023, 13:53) Like (16) Dislike (2) Reply
      You are correct. The BVI is a place of plenty gossip, and these UK Officers are listening to the gossip and do not care if it is true or not. They are acting on it so soon the whole BVI will be charged with suspicion. Then is when we all will understand what is really taking place when this well-organized plot reaches our doorstep.
  • Not a witch hunt. Stop it (22/03/2023, 13:51) Like (30) Dislike (11) Reply
    Police must have something on that person, or any person that is deemed reasonable to get an arrest warrant.. Stop the hate and negativity..Ask them and encourage them to do their Jobs efficiently with integrity and honesty..
    • @Not a witch hunt. Stop it (22/03/2023, 14:56) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
      Arresting persons from trying to escape slavery was also justified but that did not make it right. The fact is enough suspicion can be trumped up on anyone they really want to get, to justify the approval of an arrest warrant. Please understand that I am for dealing with wrongdoing but I do know for a fact this is part of a larger plot so everything will always seem justified to gain the trust and confidence of most of the BVI community, but time will tell.
  • Stop Guessing (22/03/2023, 15:32) Like (13) Dislike (5) Reply
    Every time there is an arrest the same old comments are rolled out. Stop guessing - a release without charge does not mean there don’t be future charges so let’s not be so naive!
  • l (22/03/2023, 19:20) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is really sickining. But we bring them here and payi g them more than the bbvi law abiding resing citizen. So take wa u get.
  • Lady's night (22/03/2023, 21:08) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Bouncers for a drink lads?Just ask????
  • get rid ah dem (23/03/2023, 06:24) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    The VIP is yet rocked with another scandal
  • Free Thinker (23/03/2023, 10:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Whene Will akɔ pf you get it into your heads that you belong to the plantation (BVI). The plantation does not belong to you.. Cteate the would around you the wayi you would like it to ne while allowing others to Cteate the would around them the way they would like it to ne.


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